Afghan air strikes kill 40 militants, wound 45 others in S. Helmand province

Air strikes against Taliban outfit in Helmand province had killed 40 militants and injured 45 others, said provincial government in a statement released here Tuesday.

"The air strikes conducted against Taliban convoy in Tarikh Nawar locality between Marja and Nawa districts Sunday evening, leaving 40 rebels dead and 45 others injured," the statement asserted.

According to the statement, the Taliban convoy was going from Nawa district to Marja district to fight government forces, but the government forces in pre-emptive strikes destroyed the convoy and foiled their designs.

Eight militants, according to the statement, were also killed in the neighboring Gereshk district on Sunday evening.

Taliban militants who have been challenging the government forces in several districts of Helmand province haven't commented.

Notorious for growing poppy and militancy, the restive Helmand province with Lashkar Gah as its capital 555 km south of Kabul has been the scene of increasing insurgency over the past couple of years.

Source XINHUA