MAIMANA, Afghanistan, March 17 (Xinhua) -- At least five armed militants have been killed and 14 others injured as government forces aircrafts targeted Taliban positions in Dawlatabad district of Afghanistan's northern Farybab province, spokesman for provincial government Ahmad Jawed Bidar said Saturday.

The government warplanes, according to the official, pounded Taliban positions in Joqu area of the troubled Dawlatabad district Friday afternoon killing five insurgents on the spot and injuring 14 others.

A Taliban notorious commander Mullah Musa alias Astana is also among those killed in the raids, the official added.

Government forces would continue to target militants' positions from ground and air elsewhere in Faryab province to stabilize peace and security there, the official asserted.

Taliban militants, according to locals have intensified activities in several districts of Faryab province over the past couple of months to mount pressure on provincial capital Maimana.

Local officials, however, dismissed the threats, saying government forces would soon evict militants from their trenches in the restive province.