JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Some five militants of Islamic State (IS) group were killed and four others wounded during a cleanup operation launched by Afghan security forces in the country's eastern province of Nangarhar, the provincial government said on Saturday.
"Joint Afghan troops have also cleared several villages during the ongoing operation in Pachir Wagam district. They also released two civilians, including a woman, from IS militants' custody," it said in a statement.
The security forces also seized weapons and ammunition and defused several landmines, according to the statement.
Nangarhar province with Jalalabad city as its capital, 120 km east of Kabul, has been the scene of clashes between security forces and IS militants since the emergence of IS in early 2015.
The Afghan security forces have stepped up security operations against militants recently as the militants have been attempting to take territory and consolidate their positions ahead of winter in the mountainous country.
On Friday, two police personnel and three civilians were killed and 27 others wounded in three back to back explosions in Jalalabad city.
