KABUL, May 26 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 Taliban militants were killed and nine others arrested in two eastern Afghan provinces on Sunday, the command of special forces said.

"Afghan National Defense and Security Forces launched extensive operations in Wardak and Paktika province early Sunday, killing 15 Taliban militants and detaining nine other armed militants," Afghan National Army Special Operations Corps said in a statement.

The slain militants were found to be involved in terror crimes in the past and those among the killed militants was a Taliban divisional commander, the statement read.

The violence has been on the rise as Afghan security forces struggle against a surge in attacks by Taliban militants since early April this year when the Taliban's so-called yearly rebel offensive started.

Warring sides in Afghanistan typically exaggerate the casualties of opponent side and it is difficult to verify the figures by them with independent sources.