Afghan army kills 28 militants in restive province of Helmand

Up to 28 Taliban militants have been killed in southern restive province of Helmand, the Afghan Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

"Twenty-eight terrorists were killed as a result of cordon operations and airstrikes in Dishu, Garmser, Marja, and Musa Qala districts of Helmand," the ministry tweeted.

Four heroin factories and a control and command center of the enemies were also destroyed during the fresh operations and airstrikes, it said.

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

The Taliban insurgent group, which has been waging an insurgency of more than 16 years, has yet to make comments.