At least 19 militants, including two commanders, of the Islamic State (IS) militant group were killed in airstrikes targeting their hideouts in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Nangarhar, the Defense Ministry said yesterday.

“The strikes were conducted in Haska Mina district on Saturday, killing 19 Daesh or Islamic State militants,” the ministry said in a statement.

Among those killed were two IS divisional commanders named Qari Esrar and Mullah Hasghar, the statement said.

However, the statement did not say whether the air raid was launched by the Afghan air force or NATO and U.S.-led coalition forces.

The mountainous province, 120 km east of Kabul, has been the scene of clashes between the Afghan security forces and IS militants.

The clashes have forced thousands of villagers to flee to safer places. (Xinhua)