KABUL, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- At least five militants of the Haqqani militant group have been killed following Afghan Air Force airstrikes in two eastern provinces, the Afghan Ministry of Defense said on Friday.

"Five members of Haqqani terrorist network were killed after Air Force struck militants' hideouts on the outskirts of Gardez, capital of eastern Paktia province and Gomal district of eastern Paktika province Thursday," the ministry said in a statement.

The Haqqani network, a Taliban-linked group which operated in eastern provinces and the capital Kabul, has been responsible for many high-profile attacks against security forces.

A militants' vehicle and a motorcycle were also destroyed during the raids.

The Haqqani network has not made a comment on the report yet.