JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Twelve militants of Islamic State (IS) outfit have been killed in two eastern Afghan provinces, officials said Monday.
In one incident, eight IS fighters were killed after Afghan Special Operations Forces stormed several IS hideouts and defensive fighting positions in Baandar area, Achin district of restive Nangarhar province Sunday night, provincial government spokesman Attaullah Khogyani told Xinhua.
Several militants' bunkers together with weapons and ammunition were also destroyed following the raid.
Since earlier this year, the security forces have been clashing with IS militants in Achin and neighboring Khogyani district. The clashes have forced thousands of villagers to flee.
In neighboring Kunar province, Afghan army commandos launched a special operation in Gundeel locality of Wata Pur district, killing four IS militants and arresting four others, Mirwais Sapay, an army spokesman in the region, told Xinhua.
Those among the killed was an IS divisional commander named Abuzar, the source said, adding no civilian or security force member were hurt during the operation.
The IS group, which emerged in Nangarhar in early 2015, has yet to make comments on the report.