Azimi: 38 insurgents killed last week

KABUL): More than 38 insurgents have been killed and another 190 detained across the country over the past week, the Ministry of Defence announced Wednesday.

The 38 insurgents were killed during face-to-face clashes with Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers over the course of the week, said the ministry spokesman, Maj. Gen. Zahir Azimi, at a weekly press conference in Kabul. The detainees included some foreigners and high profile Taliban figures, he said.

Security forces also seized 33 different kinds of weapon, 142 kilograms of drugs, 30 kg of explosives, three vehicles, and 50 roadside mines over the period, Azimi said. The week saw 22 ANA soldiers killed and 55 others injured, the spokesman said.

During the period, 93 offensive operations, 19 search and 1,882 patrols were conducted across the country, he said.

Azimi said the ministry was emphasizing building the capacity of Afghan forces, saying the troops were becoming more capable with the passage of time.

“With each passing day, the Afghan forces are becoming capable of assuming the charge of security responsibility as part of the security transition plan,” he said.

mrh/ma/at

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