KABUL, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Sixteen insurgents have been killed in a series of operations conducted by Afghan and NATO-led coalition forces over the past 24 hours, the Afghan Interior Ministry said on Sunday.
"Afghan National Police (ANP), Afghan National Army and Coalition Forces have launched six joint operations in Kabul, Kapisa, Kandahar, Helmand, Wardak and Khost provinces over the past 24 hours," the ministry said in a statement.
"As a result, 16 armed insurgents were killed and 10 others arrested," it said.
They also discovered and confiscated seven AK-47 assault rifles, five rocket launchers, 18 pistols, 1,900 light bullets, 200 kg of opium and one vehicle, it added.
Afghan forces and NATO-led coalition troops have intensified cleanup operations throughout the country recently. Over 65 insurgents have been killed and 320 others detained since the beginning of this year.
The Taliban insurgents, who stepped up their attacks on Afghan and NATO-led troops since a rebel offensive was launched in May 2011 in the war-ravaged country, have yet to make comments.
Special Report: Afghanistan Situation
