Up to 25 anti-government militants have been killed and two dozen others injured as government forces launched cleanup operations in the eastern Nangarhar province on Saturday night, a statement released by the provincial government here on Sunday said.

"The security forces backed by warplanes begun attacking enemies in Kot, Khogiani and Ghani Khil districts on Saturday night and so far 18 militants loyal to Islamic State group and seven Taliban insurgents have been killed," the statement said.

According to the statement, 22 more militants loyal to Islamic State outfit and two Taliban fighters have been injured.

The operations launched in the wake of atrocities committed by the Islamic State group in Kot district on Friday.

Militants loyal to the Islamic State group, according to locals and officials, in a massive offensive in several villages of Kot district on Friday morning, had killed at least three civilians, injured 12 others and also kidnapped several children and women.

In a sharp reaction, the government forces also killed 72 militants loyal to the Islamic State group on Friday and Saturday morning.

The crackdown against the Islamic State group, according to security officials, would last until the militants are wiped out from the eastern Nangarhar province.

Neither Taliban nor the Islamic State outfit has made comments on the situation there in Kot and adjoining districts.
Source:XINHUA