KABUL, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Afghan forces have killed five local commanders of the Taliban group in eastern Laghman province, the defense ministry said in a statement on Monday.

According to the statement, Mawlawi Lal Mohammad, Mawlawi Fazilullah, Abdul Ahmad, Mawlawi Nasir and Abdullah who had served as judge and senior leaders in eastern Laghman province were killed and another local commander Mawlawi Sayed Rahim was wounded during series of airstrikes launched late Sunday in Badpakh district.

Similarly, the security forces elsewhere in Maiwand district of southern Kandahar province have arrested eight militants loyal to the Taliban outfit over the past couple of days, said a statement from the provincial governor's office on Monday.