At least 51 militants killed in Afghanistan

A NATO airstrike against Taliban militants in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province left at least 45 Taliban militants dead, officials said Saturday. The militants were killed in the Deshu and Khanshin districts of Helmand province, Khaama Press reported. A statement released by the Hemand provincial government media department Saturday said the militants had just returned from carrying out an attack in Chahar Bolok district of Nimroz province when they were attacked by NATO forces. The Taliban had yet to comment on the incident. Six more insurgents were killed and three others wounded during an operation in Afghanistan's Maidan Wardak province Friday night, the Pajhwok Afghan News reported. Two Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan commanders were killed in the operation along with four other militants, said governor's spokesman Attaullah Khogyani.