Afghan officials say six Taliban prisoners on death row were hanged on May 8 in the first set of executions endorsed by President Ashraf Ghani since he took office in 2014.
Local media reported that the executions were carried out in Kabul's Pol-e Charkhi prison.
The presidential palace said in a statement that "in accordance with the Afghan constitution... Ghani approved the execution of six terrorists who perpetrated grave crimes against civilians and public security."
Ghani has toughened his stance against the militants after a major Taliban assault on Kabul that killed 64 people and wounded another 340 last month.
Ghani vowed a tough military response against the Taliban and pledged to enforce legal punishments, including executions of convicted militants.
Amnesty International had urged Ghani not to sign executions orders.
“By hastily seeking retribution for the horrific bombings that killed over 64 people in Kabul last month, the government of Afghanistan’s plans to execute those convicted of terror offences will neither bring the victims the justice they deserve, nor Afghanistan the security it needs,” the rights watchdog said on May 4.
Based on reporting by AFP and khaama.com