KABUL, May 21 (Xinhua) -- At least nine militants of Haqqani militant group had been killed following airstrikes in Paktika province, eastern Afghanistan, the command of special forces said Monday.

"Afghan Special Operations Forces-related airstrikes targeted militants of Haqqani terrorist network in Sar Hawza district, Paktika province Sunday, killing nine Haqqani gunmen and destroying two motorcycles," Operational Coordination Group Afghanistan said in a statement.

Afghan forces and the NATO and U.S.-led coalition troops continued the mopping-up operations as spring and summer known as fighting season are drawing near in the mountainous country.

As a Taliban-linked group of militants, the Haqqani network was designated as a terrorist group by the United States in 2012.