11 soldiers, 41 militants killed in Afghanistan within day

Afghan army has pressed on to clear the militants in restive provinces and killed 41 militants in the latest operations, the Defense Ministry said on Sunday morning.

"A total of 41 militants were killed, 28 wounded and one militant was detained as Afghan army carried out clean operations across the country over the past 24 hours," the ministry said in a statement providing daily operational updates.

The statement also confirmed losing 11 army personnel as a result of enemy's heavy weapon firing and landmine explosions within the same period.

The Taliban insurgent group has yet to make comments.

The security forces have recently intensified operations across the country as spring and summer known as the fighting season is drawing near.

Furthermore, seven militants were killed and two policemen were injured after Taliban attacked security checkpoints in northern Baghlan and neighboring Badakhshan province overnight Saturday, officials confirmed.