157 militants killed in S. Afghanistan

Up to 157 militants have been killed in Taliban former stronghold the southern Helmand province with Lashkar Gah as its capital 555 km south of the national capital Kabul city over the past 24 hours, an army statement sent to media outlets on Wednesday said.

"Units of national army by killing 157 militants and injuring 106 others over the past 24 hours in Nad Ali district have foiled the enemies designs to overrun the district," the statement of Corps 215 deployed in the southern region asserted.

Several group commanders and 11 Pakistani nationals are also among those killed in fighting, the statement further said.

Taliban militants who have been fighting against government forces in parts of Helmand province over the past few years, haven't commented. Enditem