57 militants killed in Afghanistan

The Afghan National Police supported by army and the NATO-led coalition forces carried out several joint operations in Kandahar, Ghazni, Helmand, Kapisa, Paktika and Paktiya provinces, Xinhua reported.

The operations killed 57 armed Taliban insurgents and wounded eight and also led to the arrest of 12 Taliban fighters.

The security forces seized weapons besides defusing several roadside bombs and anti-vehicle mines.

The Afghan security forces and the NATO-led coalition troops have intensified operations against Taliban and other militant groups. But the insurgent groups have responded by bombings.