The operation to wipe out some 600 alleged Daesh fighters began in the eastern Nangarhar province on the border with Pakistan two days ago after Islamists attacked the Kot district, Tolo News channel reported.
"Nearly 36 Daesh rebels were killed in face-to-face battle with security forces, 95 others were killed in airstrikes. The clashes still continue," Nangarhar Gov. Salim Kunduzi told the channel.
#Tolo 131 Daesh Fighters Killed In Nangarhar's Ongoing Clash:
— Eye on Afghanistan (@EyeOnAfgh) 26 июня 2016 г.
At least 131 Daesh fighters were… https://t.co/r7zQpWHn1Q #Afghanistan
The channel reported that airstrikes by foreign air forces accounted for the majority of casualties among Islamists. According to official figures, five civilians and seven Afghan servicemen were killed and 31 others were wounded in Sunday fighting.
Afghanistan has been mired in a war against Islamist insurgents for decades. More recently, a local splinter group formed an Afghan Daesh affiliate. The Islamic State group is banned in Russia and numerous other countries.
