Kabul: At least 10 militants were killed in an air strike in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, an army spokesman said on Saturday.

“Based on a confirmed tip-off, the air raid was conducted on a compound in Marja district Friday evening,” Xinhua quoted an official as saying.

The militants were building explosive devices in the targeted hideout and a Taliban IED expert named Mullah Khadim was among those killed, the official said, adding that no civilian was hurt in the bombing.

Helmand, notorious for poppy growing, is also a known Taliban stronghold.

The Afghan security forces have beefed up security operations against militants recently as spring and summer known as fighting season is drawing near in the country.

— IANS