Afghan army says kills 10 militants affiliated with Islamic State

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan security forces have killed 10 fighters who claimed to be from Islamic State (IS) in Afghanistan, officials said, amid reports that growing numbers of disgruntled Taliban fighters have joined the militant group that controls much of Syria and Iraq.

Defence ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said the militants were all associated with the Islamic State, known in Afghanistan as "Daesh". They were killed in an operation in the southern province of Helmand on Sunday.