KABUL – The Afghan Defence Ministry said on Saturday that 24 militants had been killed during military and cleanup operations in eight of the country’s 34 provinces within the last 24 hours. About 17 militants were injured and 11 others detained in the operations carried out by Afghan army, police and intelligence agency personnel, the ministry said in a statement. “The joint forces also seized weapons and ammunition besides confiscating an explosive-packed motorcycle and two suicide vests. They also defused 27 roadside bombs and landmines over the past 24 hours,” the statement said. The ministry also confirmed the loss of five army personnel during clashes and separate attacks across the country over the same period.