At least twelve militants were killed during the airstrikes on heroin labs and direct clashes between the Afghan force and the Taliban insurgents in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan.
The provincial government media office in a statement said airstrikes were carried out on heroin labs in Gandom Rez area of Kajaki district late on Wednesday night.
The statement further added that three heroin labs were destroyed during the airstrikes while a clash broke out between the Afghan forces and the militants in this province which left at least three militants dead and two others wounded.
In another clash in Greshk district bazaar at least four Taliban insurgents were killed and three others were wounded, the statement added.
This comes as a key Taliban leader who was involved behind the recent wave of violence in southern Helmand province was killed in an airstrike on Wednesday.
The provincial government media office in a statement said the prominent Taliban Qari Fida Mohammad was among several killed as fighter jets bombed the militants in Marjah district.
The statement further added that the airstrike was carried out at around noon time in the vicinity of Haji Baba roundabout.
According to Helmand provincial government, Qari Fida was a close aide to the shadow governor of the Taliban for Helmand Mullah Manan and was actively involved in recent violence in this province.
