5 militants killed in N. Afghan airstrike

KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, July 11 (Xinhua) — Five Taliban militants were killed after warplanes of NATO-led coalition forces struck a Taliban position in Afghan northern province of Kunduz overnight, a local official said on Tuesday.

“The air strike took place in Janat Bagh locality of Khan Abad district, east of provincial capital Kunduz city. The strike also destroyed the targeted militants’ hideout and one militant was injured by the raid,” district Gov. Hayyatullah Amiri told Xinhua.

The latest air raid attack came as the Taliban militants have intensified activities to overrun Kunduz city, the strategically important city in northern Afghanistan, since late last month.

The Taliban had twice briefly captured the city in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

Latest clashes and fightings between security forces and Taliban caused panic among the embattled residents in the city, 250 km north of Kabul.

The Taliban has yet to make comments.