Foreign media reports have claimed that the Afghanistan government has arrested several Islamic State (IS) fighters in Afghanistan, some of whom belong to the Maldives.

The biggest independent news agency in Afghanistan, Pajhwok Afghan News reported that 243 IS fighters were arrested from the main city of eastern Nangarhar province.

The Afghan government says among fighters in its custody are foreign nationals from Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and the Maldives.

Xinhua News reported three days ago that those who have surrendered include men, women and children, according to an army statement.

"A total of 241 Islamic State members and loyalists including 71 men, 63 women and 107 children have surrendered to local authorities in Achin and Mohman Dara districts over the past three days," said the statement.

The former militants have also handed over 67 pieces of weapons to the security forces, the statement said.