Army operations kill 17 militants in Afghanistan

Some 17 Taliban militants have been killed during latest Afghan army operations throughout the country, the Defense Ministry said on Monday.

"Afghan National Army (ANA) waged operations in eastern Khost, Paktia, Nangarhar, northern Kunduz and southern Kandahar provinces over the last 24 hours, killing 17 terrorists, wounding 13 and detaining 21 others," the ministry said in a statement.

Army personnel found and seized weapons and ammunition while the ANA engineering teams defused 12 roadside bombs and landmines during the raids, according to the statement.

A total of five army personnel were also killed by enemy's fire and in landmine explosions over the same period.

Afghan security forces have pressed on clearing the militants in restive provinces as they assumed the full security responsibility from NATO-led troops since Jan. 1.

The Taliban militant group has yet to make comment