26 militants killed in Afghan raids

Twenty-six militants were killed while 17 others wounded in military operation across Afghanistan, said the country's Interior Ministry on Thursday. "In past 24 hours, Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) carried out several anti-terrorism operations and battled militants in Kunar, Nangarhar, Samangan, Faryab, Sari Pul, Zabul, Uruzgan, Wardak, Logar, Ghazni, Paktika and Helmand provinces. As a result 26 armed Taliban members were killed, 17 wounded and 11 others were arrested by the ANSF," the ministry said in a statement. They also found and seized weapons, the statement said, without saying if there were any casualties on the side of security forces. In addition, the security forces also found and defused 19 roadside bombs and landmine recently planted by the militants across the country, according to the statement. The Taliban insurgent group, which has been waging an insurgency for more than one decade, is yet to make comments. The army and police have stepped up efforts to clear the militants across Afghanistan as the country is preparing for the presidential and provincial council elections slated for April 5 this year, but the militants responded by armed attacks and bombings. On Wednesday, three campaign workers of a political party were shot dead in the country's northern province of Faryab. Up to 11 contenders, including several former ministers and other politicians, have registered to compete for the country's top slot.