Kabul: At least 31 Taliban militants, including a key commander, were killed and 30 others injured as military aircraft pounded militants' hideouts in Afghanistan's Helmand province on Sunday, an army spokesman said.

"Afghan air force backed by the NATO-led resolute support mission launched series of air-strikes against Taliban hideouts in Musa Kala district. As a result, 31 rebels, including a key commander Mullah Zarqawi, were killed and 30 were injured," Xinhua quoted Brig Mohammad Rasoul Zazai as saying. The air-strikes took place amid Taliban preparations to capture Musa Kala district. Taliban militants have infiltrated Musa Kala district over the past several months and were poised to launch a major offensive to capture the south Afghan district.

(IANS)