Air strikes kill 18 rebels in Afghanistan

At least eighteen rebels were killed in air strikes by foreign forces in southeastern Paktika province of Afghanistan on Saturday, said police.
A senior police official, Nisar Ahmad Abdul Rahimzai told media that the air assault was carried out in Gayan district of Paktika province early morning. Foreign militants were also among the dead rebels, he added.
Earlier on Friday, the security forces targeted an explosive laden-motorbike in Barmal district of the province before it could reach the target, said police.
The air strikes came at a time when Taliban rebels have paced up their attacks on security forces following drew back of NATO/ISAF forces from Afghanistan handing over the security control to Afghan forces