Afghan forces kill 26 militants

KABUL, Jan 13 (Xinhua): Afghan defence ministry said on Saturday the security forces had killed 26 armed insurgents and injured 16 during operations across the country.

"The joint Afghan security forces also detained three suspected militants and those among the killed militants were 13 Islamic State fighters," the ministry said in a statement.

They also seized weapons and defused several roadside bombs and landmines planted by the militants, the statement added.

Afghan security forces and the NATO-led coalition troops have beefed up security operations and airstrikes as Taliban militants and Islamic State fighters are attempting to take territory and consolidate their positions during the winter in the mountainous country.

The militants responded by armed attacks and bombings.

On Friday night, five police personnel were killed and five others wounded after Taliban attacked police checkpoints in Imam Sahib district, northern Kunduz province, district administrative Chief Mahbubullah Sayyedi told the news agency.