Afghan forces kill 44 militants

Forty-four militants were killed and dozens of others were injured in Afghan military operations in the past 24 hours, Defense Ministry Spokesman General Zahir Azimi said Wednesday.

General Azimi said that 44 militants were killed and 35 others wounded during separate military operations in past 24 hours.

Four militants were apprehended and six Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were defused by the military during these operations, the statement added.

Meanwhile, two soldiers were killed in a landmine explosion and militant fire in past 24 hours, the Defense Ministry said. The statement does not contain the exact location of the incidents.

Afghan National Security Forces have launched several operations against militants in different parts of the country including Zabul province where 31 passengers were kidnapped about two months ago and Kundoz province where hundreds of Taliban launched coordinated attacks in parts of the province.