JALALABAD, Afghanistan, July 5 (Xinhua) -- Up to 23 militants including a senior commander affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) outfit, were killed as government forces targeted the hardliner group's hideouts in the eastern province of Nangarhar on Thursday, spokesman for the provincial government Attaullah Khogiani said.

"Acting on tip off, the government forces from ground and air, targeted the hideouts of IS outfit in Achin and Haska Mina districts early today morning, killing 23 rebels including a judge and a senior commander on the spot and injuring several others," Khogiani told Xinhua.

However, IS outfit, which is operational in parts of the eastern Nangarhar province with Jalalabad as its capital 120 km east of Kabul, has yet to make comments.