Kabul, June 4 (IANS): Security forces in Afghanistan have killed 15 militants during operations in the northern Baghlan province that began Tuesday, army officer Ghulam Farooq Ahmadi said Wednesday.
"We launched cleanup campaigns in Baghlan-e-Markazi district of Baghlan province Tuesday and so far 15 rebels have been killed and 20 injured," Xinhua quoted Ahmadi as saying.
One security personnel was killed and two others injured during the operations.
The aim of the operations is to ensure security for the presidential runoff, he said, adding that the mission will continue till the eviction of all insurgents from the area.
Baghlan-e-Markazi district is regarded as a Taliban hotbed in the relatively peaceful northern Baghlan province.
The presidential runoff between leading candidates Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai is slated for June 14 and the final result will be announced July 22.