LASHKARGAH, Afghanistan, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan air force launched airstrikes killing 8 militants loyal to the Taliban group in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province, said an army statement released here Tuesday.

"The air raids carried out against Taliban hideouts in the turbulent Marja and Nahr-e-Saraj districts of Helmand province, over the last 24 hours, resulted in the death of eight militants and destruction of two of their vehicles," the statement of 205th Atal Corps said.

Taliban militants have not commented on the report.