66 militants killed in fresh operations in Afghanistan: gov't

About 66 militants had been killed in military operations launched by Afghan security forces in 17 of the country's 34 provinces since early Wednesday, the Afghan Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

"A total of 23 militants were also injured and 11 persons, including eight suspected militants, were detained during military and cleanup operations carried out by Afghan army, police and personnel of intelligence," the ministry said in a written statement.

Among the killed insurgents were up to 30 militants of Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, according to the statement.

The joint forces were supported by the Afghan army air force and artillery during the raids, the statement said, adding that they also found weapons and defused several Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

The Afghan security forces have stepped up security operations against militants recently as the militants have been attempting to take territory and consolidate their positions ahead of winter in the mountainous country.

The Taliban and IS militant groups have yet to make comments.

Earlier on Thursday, security forces detained a militant in Pul-e-Khumri, capital of northern Baghlan province, who tried to plant an IED inside a local mosque, provincial governor Satar Baraz told Xinhua.

The security forces defused the IED safely and the timely arrest of the militant has foiled a terror attack in the city, 160 km north of Kabul, the governor added. Endit