JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-three militants were killed and 14 others arrested following an operation in Nangarhar province, east of Afghanistan, Wednesday night, said the provincial government on Thursday.

"Special Operations Forces of National Directorate of Security (NDS) raided two Taliban hideouts in Soordog locality, Khogyani district Wednesday night. As a result 23 militants were killed and 14 others arrested," it said in a statement.

The NDS is the country's primary intelligence agency.

Those among the killed were four Taliban divisional commanders named Qari Edayatullah, Khalid, Qari Khalid and Ismail, the statement said, adding three vehicles, four motorbikes, and explosive materials were destroyed.

The security forces also seized 18 rounds of weapons after the raid.

Taliban militant group fighting the government confirmed the incident. Zabiullah Mujahid, a purported Taliban spokesman, told local media that eight Taliban fighters lost their lives in Khogyani overnight.

He claimed a mosque and several houses were destroyed by security forces' airstrikes which also inflicted casualties among the villagers in the mountainous district.