US airstrikes kill 46 militants, destroy IS radio in Afghanistan

KABUL -- A total of 46 militants were killed and a radio station belonging to the Islamic State (IS) group was destroyed after US-led coalition forces carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan's Paktika and Nangarhar provinces overnight, government officials said Tuesday.

"Acting upon intelligence reports, the pilotless plane of the coalition forces stormed the hideouts of Taliban rebels in Gomal district (of Paktika province) Monday night killing 17 armed insurgents," Nabiullah Pirkhil, spokesman for the provincial government told Xinhua.

A vehicle of the militants was also destroyed during the raid, the official added.

In airstrikes also launched by the coalition forces in Nangarhar province, 29 Islamic State (IS) militants were killed and a radio station belonging to the militant group was destroyed.

"The foreign forces conducted four air raids against IS positions in Momand Dara of Achin district Monday night, killing 29 IS militants and destroying an IS radio station," the Nangarhar provincial government said in a statement on Tuesday.

Those killed included five workers of the banned group's radio station and five people in charge of Internet service of the extremist group, the statement added.

Several high-ranking IS members were also among the killed by the airstrikes in Achin, which is regarded as an IS stronghold.

The IS militants have been using the so-called Voice of Caliphate radio since late last year to intimidate people from supporting the government and recruit new fighters.

The US drones continued to be hovering over Jalalabad and Achin district Tuesday morning, according to locals.

The district bordering Pakistan has been the scene of heavy clashes between IS militants and security forces backed by pro-government local militiamen over the past couple of months.

The militant group has yet to make comments.