86 militants killed in military operations in Afghanistan

KABUL - 18 August 2017: The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces conducted at least 41 airstrikes and 33 ground operations against the militants, leaving at least 86 of them dead, including fighters affiliated with Daesh group, Khaama Press reported.

The operations were launched over the past 24 hours in various parts of the country, the Afghan Ministry of Defense (MoD) said in a statement on Friday.

Some 41 sorties were conducted in support of the ground forces that carried out 13 special operations involving Afghan commandos and 3 night raids, the MOD added.

According to the MOD, the militants suffered the most casualties in southeastern Paktika province where 56 militants belonging to the Haqqani terrorist group were killed in Gomal district during the air and ground operations.

The anti-government armed militant groups have not commented on the statement so far.