KABUL, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Afghan government forces have killed three militants and defused 16 anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines in the southern Helmand and the eastern Zabul provinces over the past 24 hours, Interior Ministry said in a statement released here on Sunday.

The security forces, according to the statement, targeted a hideout of a Taliban branch in Gereshk district of southern Helmand province late Saturday, killing three insurgents on the spot and injuring two others.

Similarly, the security forces in crackdown against militants in Mohammad Agha district of eastern Logar province, found 16 anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines and defused all of the explosive devices on Saturday, the statement said.