At least 71 Taliban militants were killed following counter-terrorism operations in various provinces of Afghanistan in the past 24 hours.The interior ministry of Afghanistan following a statement said the operations werejointly conducted by Afghan national police forces, Afghan national army andAfghan intelligence – national directorate of security (NDS) operatives.The statement further added that the militants were killed in Kunar, Nangarhar,Laghman, Kapisa, Takhar, Kunduz, Zabul, Ghazni, Paktia, Herat, Sar-e-Pul, Logar,Paktika and Farah provinces.At least 40 Taliban militants were also injured and two others were detained duringthe operations, interior ministry said, adding that Afghan security forces alsoconfiscated various types of weapons, ammunition and explosives during theoperations.Afghan national police forces also discovered and seized 16 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during operations in Zabul, Maidan Wardak, Herat and Farahprovinces, according to the Afghan (Khaama Press).Interior ministry said the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were planted byTaliban militants to carry out insurgency attacks.