GARDEZ, Afghanistan, April 12 (Xinhua) -- At least four Haqqani militants were killed in an airstrike in Afghanistan's eastern Paktia province on Friday, according to a statement issued by the provincial government.
"Based on a confirmed tip-off, the airstrike was launched on outskirts of provincial capital Gardez on Friday morning. The sortie killed four militants of Haqqani terrorist group," the statement said.
Security forces and civilians have not suffered any damage in the strike which was launched by the NATO-led coalition forces in coordination with Afghan security forces, according to the statement.
A number of heavy and light weapons and ammunition were also destroyed in the raid, said the statement.
Haqqani network, a Taliban-linked militant group, mostly operates in eastern provinces and capital Kabul, and has been responsible for high-profile attacks on security forces.
The network, which was named as a terrorist group by the United States in 2012, has yet to make comments.
The Afghan security forces, backed by the NATO-led coalition troops, have increased ground and air offensives against militants within the past a few months as spring and summer known as the fighting season is drawing near in the country.
Earlier on Friday, the Taliban militant group has announced the launch of a yearly rebel offensive against Afghan and coalition forces codenamed al-Fath.
