KHOST, Afghanistan, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Four members of Haqqani militant group were killed by an airstrike in Afghanistan's eastern province of Khost overnight, a local source said on Thursday.
"A pilotless plane of the NATO-led coalition forces conducted a strike on a moving vehicle in Manji, a locality in Sabari district Wednesday night, killing four members of Haqqani network and destroying their vehicle," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The initial information confirmed the identity of the killed militants. They were namely Rezha Noor, Yousuf, Raifour and Mujeeb, the source added.
Provincial police Chief Gen. Faizullah Ghairt has confirmed the strike in the district, northern of provincial capital Khost city, 150 km southeast of national capital of Kabul.
As a Taliban-linked group of militants, the Haqqani network mostly operating in eastern provinces and Kabul, has been responsible for many high-profile attacks against security forces.
The coalition forces have intensified drone attacks against the militants' hideouts and training centers when the Afghan security forces are engaged in major offensives against the Taliban and other militants across the mountainous country.
The militant network, which was designated as terrorist group by the United States in 2012, has yet to make comments.
