At least 24 militants were killed after Afghan warplanes struck a Taliban hideout in Helmand province, authorities said on Friday."The Taliban military chief named Kako for Nad Ali district and 23 militants were killed following an airstrike conducted on Thursday against a Taliban main headquarters in Helmand province," Xinhua news agency reported citing the statement.The statement rejected claims that the targeted compound was a Taliban prison and that several people held hostage were also killed.