A total of 36 militants loyal to the Islamic State (IS) group have been killed in the conflict-hit Afghanistan over the past 24 hours, said a statement of Afghanistan's Defense Ministry released here on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the government forces raided IS positions in Khak-e-Afghan and Shamalzai districts of the southern Zabul province during which 20 more rebels sustained injuries.

Hundreds of IS fighters along with their families, according to locals, have settled in Deh Chopan district and other parts of Zabul province over the past several months.

The hardliner IS group has yet to make comment.

source: Xinhua