MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, April 5 (Xinhua) -- At least 13 Taliban militants were killed and seven others wounded after Afghan army helicopters struck militants' hideouts in northern province of Balkh, an army source said Thursday.
The airstrikes were conducted by MD-530 helicopters in Baburzai and Asyyab Firqa localities of Chimtal district Wednesday afternoon, Hanif Rezai, spokesman of army Corps 209 Shaheen based in the region, told Xinhua.
The sorties were called in based on confirmed tip-off which indicated insurgents' activities in the district, he said.
No civilian was hurt during the operation and an amount of weapons and ammunition was also destroyed, he noted.
Violence has escalated in the previously peaceful northern region over the last few years as Afghan security forces push against the militants in the south and east.
The Taliban insurgent group, which has been waging an insurgency of about 17 years, has yet to make comments.
