KABUL, July 18 (Xinhua) -- At least six Taliban militants were killed and two others injured after Afghan air force launched airstrikes in southern province of Helmand Tuesday, the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

"The Afghan Air Force aircrafts targeted insurgents' positions in Greshk, Nad Ali and Nahri Sarraj districts, Helmand province late Tuesday, killing six insurgents and injuring two others," the ministry said in a statement.

The sorties also destroyed two vehicles full of explosives, the statement added.

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

Taliban militants did not make comment about the report so far.