MAIMANA, Afghanistan, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Up to 18 militants were killed as government aircrafts targeted Taliban hideouts in Khawja Sabzposh district of the northern Faryab province on Sunday, an army spokesman in the northern region Mohammad Hanif Rezai said Monday.

According to the official, 22 more insurgents sustained injuries in the air raids.

Taliban militants are yet to make comment.

Faryab province with Maimana as its capital has been the scene of Taliban-led militancy over the past decade.