QALAT, Afghanistan, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Nine Taliban militants were killed in airstrikes in Afghanistan's southern Zabul province Monday, a local source said Tuesday.

"Nine Taliban militants were killed after NATO-led coalition forces' war planes struck their positions in Omkai, a locality on the outskirts of provincial capital Qalat city and Seyourri village of Shinkay district on Monday," Essa Mohammad from Afghan army Corps 205 Attal told Xinhua.

The strikes were conducted afte specific intelligence reports were received and no civilian was hurt in the strikes, the source added.

Afghan security forces have beefed up operations against Taliban militants recently as the country is preparing to hold the presidential election on Sept. 28.

The militants responded by armed attacks and bombings. On Thursday, about 40 civilians were killed and over 180 others wounded in a Taliban truck bombing in Qalat city.

The militant group has not made comments on the report so far.