Up to 17 militants were killed over the past 24 hours as the government forces backed by air force pounded Taliban positions in Nad Ali district of the poppy-growing Helmand province, provincial government spokesman Omar Zawak said Wednesday.

The government forces, according to the official, targeted Taliban positions in parts of Nad Ali district from the ground and air over the past 24 hours, killing 17 insurgents and injuring five others.

A number of arms and ammunitions have either been captured or destroyed during the operations, the official added.

Taliban militants haven't made comment yet.

source: Xinhua