45 militants killed in Afghanistan airstrike

Kabul: At least 45 Taliban militants were killed in an airstrike in Afghanistan's Helmand province, police said on Sunday.

"At least 45 militants were killed in the airstrike conducted on militants' position in Sangin district on Saturday," Xinhua quoted Shah Mahmood Ashina, spokesman of provincial police department, as saying.

The targeted insurgents tried to attack security checkpoints at the district before they came under attack, the spokesman said, adding that unknown number of militants were injured in the strikes.

Helmand, notorious for poppy growing, is a Taliban stronghold in the country.

The Taliban has intensified attacks over the past months as the militant group tries to take territory and consolidate its positions ahead of winter in the country.

The Taliban militant group has yet to make comments.