10 Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan airstrike

Kabul: At least 10 militants were killed in an airstrike in Afghanistan's Helmand province, an army spokesman said on Saturday.

"Based on a confirmed tip-off, the air raid was conducted on a compound in Marja district Friday evening," Xinhua quoted an official as saying.

The militants were building explosive devices in the targeted hideout and a Taliban IED expert named Mullah Khadim was among those killed, the official said, adding that no civilian was hurt in the bombing.

Helmand, notorious for poppy growing, is also a known Taliban stronghold.

The Afghan security forces have beefed up security operations against militants recently as spring and summer known as fighting season is drawing near in the country.

The Taliban has yet to make comments.