A total of 19 Taliban fighters have been killed and two others sustained injuries as police launched operations against militants in Shirzad district of the eastern Nangarhar province on Tuesday, Interior Ministry said in a statement released here Wednesday.

"Nineteen Taliban rebels have been killed and two others injured since launching operations in Shirzad district on Tuesday, "the statement said, adding operations will continue till ensuring lasting peace in the district and adjoining areas.

There were no casualties on security personnel, it stressed. Taliban militants have yet to make comment.