23 militants killed in Afghan army operations

At least 23 militants have been killed in army operations in Afghanistan since Tuesday, the defence ministry said.

"The Afghan National Army (ANA) conducted several raids in Kandahar, Kunduz and Kapisa provinces, killing 23 militants, and wounding 25 others, over the past 24 hours," Xinhua reported citing a statement issued by the ministry Wednesday.

Two ANA soldiers lost their lives in security operations over the same period, the statement said.

The army personnel also defused 10 landmines and roadside bombs and seized a number of weapons and ammunition during the operations.

The Taliban militant group was yet to make any comment about the developments.

Afghan security forces have concentrated on clearing out the militants in the country's restive provinces after having assumed full security control from NATO-led troops earlier this month.