JALALABAD, Afghanistan, June 2 (Xinhua) -- As many as 17 militants affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) have been killed following a spate of operations launched by government forces in the eastern province of Nangarhar, an official said Saturday.

The clashes occurred in the past 24 hours in the turbulent Haska Mina district of the province, resulting in the death of 17 IS fighters, Atullah Khogyani, provincial government spokesman told Xinhua.

An aged man was also killed and four children wounded during the clashes and a woman was still missing, the spokesman said, confirming that the police were investigation the civilian casualties.

No comment has been still made from the IS militants fighting government forces in the area.?