20 militants die in Afghan cleanup operations

Afghan government forces launched cleanup operations in the county’s eastern province of Ghazni, killing about 20 Taliban militants and injuring 13 others, an official said Thursday.

Aref Nuri, the provincial governor’s spokesman said the operations were launched late on Wednesday in villages of Khani Baba, Zaray and Dalil of the troubled Andar district, where armed militants affiliated with the Taliban have been killed.  

Two security personnel are confirmed dead and three others sustained injuries during the crackdown which has been continuing in the restive district, Xinhua reported quoting Nuri.

The Taliban group has yet to make comment on the report.