Afghan defense ministry following a statement announced, at least 21 Afghan national army soldiers were killed or injured following militants attacks and roadside bomb blasts during the past 24 hours.
The source further added, five Afghan soldiers were killed in Kunar, Paktiya, Logar, Maidan Wardak and Herat provinces of Afghanistan while 16 others were injured.
Afghan defense officials following the statement also added Afghan national army soldiers arrested 9 suspected militants during the military operations and seized some weapons, ammunitions and explosives during the past 24 hours.
In a separate operation in Kandahar province of Afghanistan, Afghan national army soldiers seized 8 improvised explosive devices from Zherai district and 4 improvised explosive devices from Nahr-e-Saraj district of southern Helmand province while 5 improvised explosives devices were seized and destroyed from Delaram district of western Nimroz province, Afghan defense officials said.
Anti-government armed militant groups yet to comment regarding the reports.


