Eight militants killed in Afghan operation

At least eight Taliban militants have been killed in cleanup operations across Afghanistan, the country's defence ministry said on Thursday.

"Up to eight terrorists were killed, several wounded and one was arrested when Afghan security forces carried out cleanup operations over the past 24 hours," the ministry said in a statement providing operational updates, Xinhua reported.

The raids were launched in five of the country's 34 provinces.

"A total of five Afghan National Army personnel were also martyred during the same period," the statement confirmed.

Afghan security forces have pressed on clearing the militants in restive provinces as Taliban militants have been attempting to take territory and consolidate their positions ahead of winter in the country.