Local commander among 9 militants killed in S. Afghanistan airstrikes

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Airstrikes on the militants' positions in the turbulent Shah Walikot district of Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province have killed at least nine insurgents including a local commander, a spokesman for the provincial police Mohammad Qasim Azad said Saturday.

The sorties were conducted on Friday night, where the U.S.-led coalition forces targeted a Taliban militants' hideout in Shah Walikot district, killing nine insurgents including their commander on the spot, the official said.

Without providing more details, the official said that airstrikes on militants would continue.

Militants fighting government forces in the area have not commented on the subject.