53 killed in Afghan military operations

At least 50 militants and three soldiers were killed after fresh military operations were launched across the country, the Defence Ministry said on Thursday.

"Some 50 militants, including 46 Islamic State militants, have been killed, 26 wounded and one militant was detained as Afghan army, police and intelligence agency personnel launched several cleanup and military operations throughout Afghanistan over the past 24 hours," the ministry said in a statement, Xinhua reported.

The joint forces also found weapons and defused several roadside bombs and landmines during the raids in six of the country's 34 provinces, the statement that provides daily operational updates added.

The statement also confirmed the loss of three soldiers over the same period.

Afghan security forces have pressed on with clearing out the militants from restive provinces as Taliban militants have been attempting to take territory and consolidate their positions during the winter in the Central Asian country.