LOC16:12
13:12 GMT
ISLAMABAD, June 30 (KUNA) -- At least 10 Afghan National Army (ANA) personnel were killed by roadside bombings over the past two days in various parts of Afghanistan, authorities said on Monday.
The casualties occurred as the army has been conducting cleanup offensives accross Badakhshan, Kandahar, Logar, Helmand, Herat and Khost provinces over the past two days, according to a Defense Ministry statement.
At least 60 armed rebels, including six mine planters and a commander, Amir Mohammad Alias Kuchai Mullah, had also been killed and 37 others wounded, added the statement.
Meanwhile, some 14 insurgents were killed and 15 others wounded during a joint ANA and police operation in the Nawzad district of the northern Helmand province.
Some weapons and ammunition were seized during the offensives.
On the other hand, local media reported that Taliban has claimed inflicting heavy casualties on security personnel during these various engagements.
The offensive come at a time when Afghanistan awaits the results of a second round of presidential elections between leading Afghan candidates Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani.
Security forces have paced up offensives against Taliban rebels as NATO/ISAF forces prepare to leave the country by the end of this year. (end)
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