JALALABAD, Afghanistan, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-seven Islamic State (IS) militants were killed during an ongoing military operation in Afghanistan's eastern province of Nangarhar, said a military statement on Monday.

"A total of 37 IS militants were killed following airstrikes and ground engagement with security forces during an ongoing military operation in Achin District of Nangarhar Province over the past 24 hours," the statement issued by Afghan army's Corps 201 Selab said.

The operation will continue until the area is cleared of the militants, the statement said, adding that no security force member or civilian was injured during the above raid.

The mountainous province with Jalalabad City as its capital, 120 km east of Kabul, has been the scene of clashes between security forces and IS militants since the emergence of IS there in early 2015.

The Afghan security forces have beefed up security operations against militants recently, as spring and summer known as fighting season, are drawing near but the militants responded by attacks and bombings.

On Sunday, a senior police official named Toor Jan was shot dead by militants in Kandahar City, capital of southern Kandahar Province.