Airstrikes kill 4 militants in Afghanistan

GHAZNI, Afghanistan, April 17 (Xinhua) -- At least four militants including a local commander named Salar have been confirmed dead after the fighting aircraft pounded a Taliban hideout outside Ghazni city, capital of Afghanistan's Ghazni province, provincial government spokesman Aref Nuri said Wednesday.

According to the official, the airstrikes were conducted late Tuesday in Mangor area outside Ghazni, killing commander Salar and three of his armed men on the spot.

Both the Taliban outfit and government forces have stepped up operations and counter-operations in Afghanistan since launching the annual offensive by the Taliban group last week.