Airstrikes kill 28 insurgents in Afghan eastern province

KABUL, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Up to 28 armed militants were killed and nine others wounded when Afghan air force launched airstrikes in eastern province of Paktia on Monday, said the defense ministry Tuesday.

"The Afghan air force carried out airstrikes against militants' hideouts in Jani Khil and Zurmat districts of Paktia province, killing 28 armed insurgents and injuring nine others," the ministry said in a statement.

Among the killed militants were two local leaders of Haqqani terrorist network and several Taliban militants, according to the statement.

Weapons ammunition together with two vehicles and a motorbike were also destroyed by the strikes.

As a Taliban-linked group of militants, the Haqqani network mostly operating in eastern provinces and capital Kabul, has been responsible for many high-profile attacks against security forces.

The Taliban and Haqqani militants fighting security forces in Paktia and neighboring provinces have yet to make comments. Enditem