KABUL, May 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 militants were killed following airstrikes in southern Afghan province of Helmand on Saturday, the government said Sunday.

"Some 15 Taliban militants were killed following air raids in Sangin, Nad Ali and Musa Qala districts, Helmand province," Presidential Information Coordination Center (Tawhid Center) said in a statement.

The statement did not detail whether the sorties were launched by Afghan Air Force or NATO-led coalition forces.

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

The Afghan Air Force and the NATO-led coalition troops have increased ground and air offensives against militants in the past few months as spring and summer known as the fighting season is drawing near in the country.

The militant group has not made comments on the report yet.