157 militants killed in Afghanistan

At least 157 militants were killed in clashes with Afghanistan security forces in Helmand province over the past 24 hours, an army statement said on Wednesday.

"Units of national army by killing 157 militants and injuring 106 others over the past 24 hours in Nad Ali district have foiled the enemy's designs to overrun the district," Xinhua news agency quoted Corps 215 deployed in the southern Helmand region as saying.

Several group commanders and 11 Pakistani nationals are also among the killed, the statement said.

There was yet no comment from Taliban militants, who have been fighting against government forces over the past few years in parts of Helmand province -- which has Lashkar Gah as its capital 555 km south of the national capital Kabul city.