Afghan police kill 23 militants in 24 hrs

KABUL - Units of Afghan police backed by the army have killed nearly two dozen Taliban militants during a series of operations across the conflict-ridden country over the past 24 hours, Interior Ministry said in a statement released here on Friday.

"The police units backed by the national army have killed 23 armed Taliban rebels during operations in Zabul, Ghazni, Logar, Khost and Helmand provinces over the past 24 hours," the statement said.

A total of 33 more militants sustained injuries and six others were captured during the operations, the statement said.

It did not say if there were any casualties on the security forces. Taliban militants fighting the government have yet to make comment.