96 militants killed in fresh clashes in Afghanistan

Some 96 militants have been killed and 93 others wounded by clashes and airstrikes across Afghanistan within one day, the Afghan Defense Ministry said on Monday.

"The Afghan National Security and Defense Forces launched several operations in Nangarhar, Ghazni, Khost, Kandahar, Zabul, Badghis, Nimroz, Jawzjan, Balkh, Faryab, Baghlan, Kunduz, and Helmand provinces within the last 24 hours, killing 96 and injuring 93 armed insurgents," the ministry said in a statement.

The statement that provides daily operational updates also confirmed the loss of five army soldiers over the same period.

"The army helicopter gunships and artillery had supported the ground forces during the above raids. The joint forces also seized weapons and defused several roadside bombs and landmines planted recently by the militants," the statement noted.

A Taliban key commander named Muhibullah Haqyar was killed following a clash in Qalay-i-Zal district, Kunduz province overnight, an Afghan official told Xinhua earlier on Monday.

Afghan security forces have beefed up security operations against militants since Tuesday after the Taliban started their so-called annual spring offensive code named "Operation Omari" and stepped up attacks across the country.

The militant group has yet to make comments. Enditem