QALA-E-NAW, Afghanistan, April 30 (Xinhua) -- As many as 19 militants affiliated with the Taliban group have been killed and four others wounded, following a series of air operations in Afghanistan's western Badghis province, said an army statement released here Tuesday.

The air raids were conducted late on Monday in Ab Kamari district of the province, where a joint Afghan and coalition forces bombed a militants hideout, resulting in the death of 19 fighters, including the militants' shadow district chief Mawlawi Bismillah, the statement said.

Four insurgents have also been wounded during the hours-long airstrikes, according to the statement.

The security forces would continue to target the militants in Ab Kamari district and its vicinity, the statement said.

Taliban militants have not commented on the incident.