Afghan troops kill 56 militants
Iran Press TV
Mon Jul 20, 2015 10:0AM
Afghan security forces have killed nearly 56 militants, including ISIL-linked elements, in their latest military operations across Afghanistan, the country's Defense Ministry says.
In a statement on Monday, the ministry announced that Afghan National Army (ANA) units engaged in a number of joint and independent military operations between July 16 and July 19, "killing 56 terrorists and injuring 19 other enemies."
It further added that 18 militants affiliated with the Takfiri ISIL terrorist group were among those killed in the latest operations by the ANA service members.
The Afghan Defense Ministry said that the troopers also confiscated armaments from the militants and defused dozens of roadside bombs and landmines planted by the terror elements.
According to the official account, seven Afghan army soldiers were also killed during the recent operations.
The development comes as Taliban-led militancy and violence persist across war-ravaged Afghanistan despite efforts by the Afghan government to engage in peace talks with the Taliban militants.
Afghanistan faces a security challenge years after the United States and its allies invaded the country in 2001 as part of Washington's so-called war on terror. The offensive removed Taliban from power, but many areas in the country are still beset with insecurity.
At least 13,500 foreign forces remain in Afghanistan despite the end of the US-led combat mission, which came on December 31, 2014. The forces, mainly from the US, are there for what Washington calls a support mission. NATO says the forces focus mainly on counter-terrorism operations and training Afghan soldiers and policemen.
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