KABUL, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) — Up to 35 militants had been killed amid cleanup operations by Afghan security forces since early Saturday, the country’s Defense Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

Some seven militants were injured and six others detained during the raids conducted by army, police and intelligence agency personnel in four of the country’s 34 provinces, said the statement that provides daily operational updates.

The statement also confirmed the loss of two army soldiers in the above operations.

“The joint Afghan security forces also found and seized weapons and ammunition in addition to defusing several landmines over the same period,” the statement added.

Afghan security forces have pressed on clearing the militants in restive provinces as Taliban militants have been attempting to take territory and consolidate their positions during the winter.