47 militants killed in Afghanistan airstrikes

Kabul: At least 47 Taliban militants were killed in Afghanistan air strikes in Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province, an army source said on Saturday. The army attacked Taliban hideouts in Baba Jee area outside Lashkar Gah on Friday, killing 47 insurgents,” Xinhua news agency quoted Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Rassoul Zazai, spokesman of army Corp 215 Maiwand, as saying.  Sporadic clashes continued over the past week as the militants launched massive attacks to take control of outer sides of Lashkar Gah, 555 km south of Afghan capital. Five local Taliban commanders were among the killed, Zazai said, adding “the air attacks were part of an ongoing raid in the area and the operation will continue till the area is cleared of enemies.” Helmand, famous for poppy growing, is also a known Taliban stronghold. The Taliban militant group has yet to comment.