KABUL, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- About 15 militants were killed when Afghan security forces carried out military operations in 17 of the country's 34 province within the last 24 hours, the country's Defense Ministry said on Sunday.
"A total of 20 armed militants were wounded and nine persons were detained during joint military operations launched by Afghan army, police and intelligence agency personnel over the past 24 hours," the ministry said in a statement.
They also seized weapons and defused several landmines planted by the militants, the statement said, without elaborating on the casualties of the security forces.
One militant who tried to plant a landmine along a main road was also captured by security forces over the same period, according to the statement.
The Afghan security forces have stepped up security operations against Taliban militants recently as the militants have been attempting to take territory and consolidate their positions ahead of winter in the mountainous country.
The Taliban has yet to make comments.
