Attacks by Afghan forces against the Taliban across the country have killed 41 militants in 24 hours, Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry says.
In a statement issued on Monday, the interior minister said 16 other Taliban militants were also injured in the attacks.
The operations by Afghan troops were carried out in different parts of the country, including in the provinces of Baghlan, Takhar, Qandahar, Zabul and Helmand.
The Afghan forces also managed to defuse ten bombs in Qandahar and Helmand provinces.
ISIL-Taliban clashes
Meanwhile, 14 militants were killed during clashes between the ISIL Takfiri group and the Taliban in Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar Province.
According to Nangarhar police, the fighting between the two militant groups broke out in Nazian district of the province.
According to the report, ISIL militants also set ablaze houses of two Taliban militants.
ISIL terrorists have reportedly been recruiting militants in Afghanistan over the recent months, in what is believed to be aimed at establishing sanctuaries in areas traditionally seen as Taliban strongholds.
The Takfiri militants have demanded that the local Taliban pledge allegiance to their group.
Over the past few months, the two militant groups have frequently engaged in clashes in troubled Afghanistan.
US drone attacks
Meanwhile, a fresh US drone strike in Chaparhar District in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar Province has claimed the lives of at least three people.
According to local officials, the victims were senior Taliban members, but there has been no comment from the militants so far.
The US has been carrying out drone operations in several countries, including Afghanistan, without UN authorization.
AR/NN/HRB