KABUL, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Some 53 militants have been killed within the last 24 hours amid military operations across Afghanistan, the country's Defense Ministry said on Sunday.
"Afghan National Defense and Security Forces conducted military and cleanup operations in Nangarhar, Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul, Samangan, Jawzjan and Kunduz provinces over the past 24 hours, killing 53 armed militants, wounding 14 and detaining three others," the ministry said in a statement.
Out of total casualties, 49 Islamic State (IS) militants were killed after security forces backed by warplanes attacked IS positions in Kot and Achin districts of Nangarhar province, the statement said, adding that 10 IS bunkers and an IS weapons cache were also destroyed.
The statement also confirmed the loss of four Afghan army personnel during the same period.
Afghan security forces have pressed on clearing the militants in restive provinces but the militants responded by armed attacks and bombings.
On Saturday, 80 people were killed and more than 230 others wounded after twin suicide blasts struck a peaceful demonstration in Kabul.
