120 militants killed in Afghan operations

Kabul, July 21 (IANS) At least 120 Islamic State militants were killed in wide-scale operations launched during the past 24 hours by Afghan army, police and intelligence agency personnel, said a Defence Ministry statement on Thursday.

Up to 48 militants were killed in Achin district while 49 militants were killed in eastern province of Paktia after the joint forces attacked militant positions, Xinhua news agency reported.

In one operation, 22 Taliban militants were killed after the troops raided their bunkers in Sangin district of Helmand province.

"A Taliban shadow district governor for Sangin named Mawlawi Aqah was among the killed," the statement said.

The forces supported by army's artillery and warplanes also found weapons and defused dozens of improvised explosive devices and landmines during the raids.

In Kunduz province, one Taliban fighter was killed and 10 others were injured during the clashes in Qalay e-Zal district, the statement said.

Ministry also confirmed loss of four army personnel during the same period.

Sporadic clashes have been continuing in the Qalay-e-Zal, bordering Tajikistan since weekend after Taliban tried to capture the control of the district.

The Taliban-led attacks and violence have declined over the recent weeks as Afghan security forces have beefed up security operations and NATO-led forces increased drone strikes against the militants.