KABUL - Afghan police during series of operations have killed 38 Taliban fighters over the past 24 hours, Interior Ministry said in a statement released Thursday.

"Units of national police backed the army and the NATO-led troops conducted seven cleanup operations in different provinces including the capital Kabul and Taliban former stronghold Kandahar over the past 24 hours during which 38 Taliban rebels were killed," the statement added.

Eight more Taliban fighters were injured and 15 others made captive, it contended.

However, it did not say if there were any casualties on the security forces. Taliban militants fighting the government have yet to comment.