Afghan forces kill 13 militants, wound five in coordinated operation

KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- At least 18 Taliban militants were killed or wounded across Afghanistan in joint operations by government security forces, the Interior Ministry said Saturday.

The operations -- involving police, army and intelligence services -- were conducted in seven provinces in the previous 24 hours, Khaama Press reported.

Weapons, ammunition and explosives were seized, and four other militants were arrested, the ministry said.

In separate operations in four other provinces, Afghan national police said they found 16 improvised explosive devices they claimed had been planted by Taliban militants.