Afghan air raids kill 8 Taliban fighters in northern Balkh province: official

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, Afghanistan, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- A total of eight militants have been confirmed dead as fighting aircraft struck Taliban hideouts in Chamtal district of the northern Balkh province on Thursday, army spokesman in the northern region Mohammad Hanif Rezai said.

The airstrikes were conducted at 09:20 a.m. local time in Asiab Sharaf area of the troubled Chamtal district, killing eight insurgents on the spot and wounding five others, said the official.

Rezai also said that the fighting planes would continue to strike armed militants in Chamtal and adjoining areas.

Taliban militants who are active in parts of Balkh province have yet to make a comment.