2010-09-19 07:41

KHOST, Afghanistan - A spokesman for provincial administration said that 71 Taliban militants were killed as troops raided their hideout in Paktia province east of Afghanistan on the election day on Saturday.

"The Taliban gathered in a hideout in Syed Karam district to disrupt the election process this morning but intelligence reports identified their location and called in airpower which pounded their position killing 71 militants," Rohullah Samon told Xinhua.

He did not provide more details.

Meantime, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in talks with media via telephone from unknown location confirmed the incident and said only four militants were killed in the air raids.

Afghanistan's second parliamentary election was held amid tight security on Saturday as Taliban militants vowed to derail it. However, the voting held successfully, according to officials, with only minor security incidents that left a dozen people dead and injured three dozen others.