The Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) have killed 62 suspected insurgents across the country since early Wednesday, the country's Defense Ministry said on Thursday morning.

"In past 24 hours, the ANSF conducted several anti-terrorism operations to clear some of the areas from terrorists and enemies of peace and stability of Afghanistan, killing 62 armed insurgents and injuring 15 others," the ministry said in a statement providing daily operational updates.

The raids were launched in Ghazni, Paktia, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Ghor, Laghman and Kapisa provinces, according to the statement.

The joint Afghan forces supported by Afghan army's artillery and air force also discovered and confiscated rounds of light and heavy ammunition, the statement added.

In one operation, 11 insurgents were detained by the Afghan army and police in Chardara district of northern Kunduz province, the statement said.

It also confirmed the loss of five Afghan army personnel during the raids and as a result of separate attacks within the same period.

The violence has been on the rise since the drawdown of foreign forces over the past two years as the Afghan security forces struggle against a surge in attacks by anti-government fighters.

The Taliban militant group has yet to make comments.

Source : XINHUA