KABUL, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least nine militants were killed after Afghan air force conducted airstrikes in two provinces in the latest raids against insurgents, the military said Saturday.

In one incident, five insurgents were killed and two militants' fighting positions, a motorcycle and an amount of weapons and ammunition were destroyed when Afghan National Army (ANA) Air Force launched sorties in Sangin district of southern Helmand province on Friday, Afghan ministry of defense said in a statement.

In neighboring Uruzgan province, four militants were killed and four AK-47 guns and ammunition were destroyed during strikes on the outskirts of provincial capital Tirin Kot on Friday.

The statement said no civilian was hurt in the latest strikes, adding "ANA will use all effective and appropriate methods to protect civilians and security forces on the ground."

Afghan security forces, backed by the NATO-led coalition troops, have increased ground and air offensives against militants within the past months as the Taliban militant group has been attempting to take territory and consolidate its positions during the winter in the mountainous country.

The militant group has not made a comment on the reports so far.