At least 31 militants were killed in separate operations of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) in northern Baghlan province, Khaama Press quoted the Ministry of Defense (MoD) as saying.

The operations were conducted in Surkh Kotal and Baghlan Markazi areas of Baghlan involving air and ground forces of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).

According to a statement by MoD, at least 7 militants were killed and 11 others were wounded during a ground operation of the Afghan forces.

The statement further added that the Afghan Air Force (AAF) also pounded militants in Surkh Kotal area, leaving at least 24 dead.

An 82 mm artillery of the militants was also destroyed along with a Dshk heavy machine gun during the airstrike, MoD added.

The anti-government armed militant groups including the Taliban insurgents have not commented regarding the reports so far.

This comes at least 13 militants were killed in an airstrike in Surkh Kotal area of Baghlan province earlier.

The intensified raids by Afghan forces on militants follows by clashes erupted among the Taliban militants and the Afghan security forces in the same area on Saturday night.

According to the local officials, at least 28 militants were killed or wounded during the gun battle which erupted following an attack by the militants on security posts. 

Source ; MENA