KABUL, May 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 113 militants have been killed and nearly 50 others wounded as Afghan security forces pressed ahead with offensives in restive provinces, the Defense Ministry said on Friday.
"Afghan National Defense and Security Forces carried out cleanup operations in different provinces within the past 24 hours, killing 113 armed militants and wounding 49 others," the ministry said in a statement.
The security forces also seized weapons and defused several roadside bombs planted by militants during the raids launched in 17 of the country's 34 provinces, the statement said, without elaborating the casualties of the security forces.
Violence has been on the rise as Afghan security forces struggle against a surge in attacks by anti-government fighters since the drawdown of foreign forces over the past two years.
On Thursday, five police personnel were killed and five others wounded during clashes with Taliban militants in Tagab district of eastern Kapisa province, according to provincial officials.
