QALA-E-NAW: Over 50 militants were killed and scores of others injured in Bala Murghab district of Afghanistan’s western Badghis province over the past 24 hours, said a statement released by the army on Saturday. Government forces in the crackdown against militants, according to the statement, have used aircraft and artillery since Friday. So far 51 armed insurgents were killed. The statement did not provide more details and Taliban militants have not commented yet. Meanwhile, local news agency Pajhwok reported that the Taliban had tightened the noose around Bala Murghab district.