18 militants have been killed in separate clashes in 17 provinces of the country in the past 24 hours, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on March 8, reports Pajhwok.com. Two joint operations, 23 commando raids, three airstrikes had been carried out by security forces for the elimination of rebels hideouts and to avert security threats, a statement from the MoD said.Afghan Air Force carried out 70 flights to support security forces on the ground as a result 18 militants were killed and three Pakistani arrested.Separately, police in Baghlan province arrested one person and recovered 17 kilograms of heroin.