Afghan army kills 6 militants in fresh operations

Up to six militants were killed in Afghan military operations on Saturday, said the country's Defense Ministry. "Two military operations were carried out by the Afghan National Army in eastern Paktia and Laghman provinces. Six militants were killed and 10 others were wounded," the ministry said in a statement. One militant's hideout was destroyed, a motorcycle and weapons were seized during the above raids while two militants were detained by the army personnel, the statement noted. In addition, four militants were killed and one was wounded when the roadside bomb they were planting along a main road went off prematurely in southern Helmand province, according to the statement. The army has stepped up efforts to clear the militants across Afghanistan as the country is preparing for the presidential and provincial council elections slated for April 5. The Taliban insurgent group, which has been waging an insurgency for more than one decade, are yet to make comments.