16 militants killed in Afghanistan

At least 16 militants from the Taliban and the Islamic State terror group were killed in clashes in Afghanistan, said a military statement on Tuesday.

Nine militants loyal to the Islamic State (IS) group were killed and two arrested after clashes erupted in Achin district of Nangarhar province, Xinhua news agency quoted police as saying on Tuesday.

A weapons cache of IS militants was also destroyed during the operations, the police said.

In another incident, six militants were killed and 18 injured in fighting that erupted between security forces and Taliban militants in Chimtal district of Balkh province on Monday, an Afghan army statement said.

One militant was killed and another wounded as security forces repelled enemy forces' attack on security checkpoints in Kunduz province, the statement said.

The clashes came two days after over 200 rebels affiliated to Taliban surrendered to the government in Chimtal.

The Taliban and the IS, active in Achin, Batikot and Nazian districts in Nangarhar province, were yet to make comment.

--IANS

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