JALALABAD - At least 76 militants were killed and another 37 wounded during ground and air operations by security forces in Chapparhar district of eastern Nangarhar province, an official said on Monday, a claim rejected by the Taliban.
The governor’s spokesman, Attaullah Khogyani, told Pajhwok Afghan News the operations were launched on Sunday night and continued into Monday morning in Spin Jumaat (mosque), Sparai and Sheen Kundai areas of the district.
At least 76 Taliban were killed and 37 others injured and their weapons and ammunition seized by security forces, he said. 
But Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, said five fighters were killed and three others injured in the Spin Jumaat (White Mosque) area. He claimed the fighters caused causalities to 20 foreign and domestic forces.
Zabihullah Zamarai, a member of the provincial council, said the Taliban were holding a meeting in the mosque (Spin Jumaat) when came under attack from ground and air forces. The airstrikes completely destroyed the mosque the Taliban had gathered in.
A resident, who declined to be named, said dozens of militants had arrived from Haska Mena and Kot districts to the Spin Jumaat area.
Nimatullah Noorzai, the Chapparhar district chief, refused to talk to the media and said he would provide information to the provincial officials.(Pajhwok)