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Afghan forces kill 2 IS militants in eastern province

Xinhua, February 17, 2016 Adjust font size:

Two militants of the Islamic State (IS) group have been killed and four others wounded over the past 24 hours during battles with Afghan security forces in the eastern province of Nangarhar, the country's Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

"Some 18 villages have also been cleared of IS militants during ongoing 'Saheen 18' military operation in Achin district, Nangarhar province over the past 24 hours," the ministry said in a statement.

On Saturday, Afghan army, police and national intelligence agency personnel launched the raid against IS positions in the district that has been regarded as the IS militants' stronghold.

"Several villagers, who were displaced by IS militants, have returned to their homes after the operation. The security forces would help pro-government militiamen to deploy security checkpoints in the surrounding areas of the district and the operation will continue before the area is cleared from IS militants," the statement added.

The Achin district bordering Pakistan, is located in the southern part of provincial capital of Jalalabad city.

Several dozens of IS militants have been killed after Afghan army helicopters and drones of U.S. forces carried out airstrikes in Achin over the past couple of months. Enditem