KABUL, June 2 (Xinhua) -- A total of 99 militants had been killed and 60 others wounded within the last 24 hours across Afghanistan, the country's Defense Ministry said on Thursday morning.

"In the last 24 hours, as a result of the joint clearance operations of the Afghan security and defense forces aimed to topple down the insurgents and protect the lives and property of people, 99 armed insurgents were killed and 60 wounded," the ministry said in a statement.

The ground forces were supported by army's heavy artillery and air force during the raids conducted in 18 of the country's 34 provinces, the daily operational updates statement added.

In one province, 48 militants, including an insurgents' group commander named Hanzullah, were killed and 36 militants wounded after Afghan army's warplanes struck militants' hideouts in Ziruk and Gayan districts of eastern Paktika province, according to the statement.

The statement also confirmed loss of 16 Afghan army personnel as a result of separate attacks within the same period.

The Afghan security forces have beefed up security operations against militants recently as spring and summer known as fighting season is drawing near in the mountainous country.

The Taliban responded by bombing and armed attacks.

On Wednesday, three Afghan aid workers of a non-governmental organization were shot and killed after armed militants intercepted their vehicle in a remote village of eastern Parwan province.