In Afghanistan, at least 15 insurgents were killed by NATO air strike in northeast the country today. The US-led NATO force has stepped up attacks on insurgents since this spring under Washington's new Afghan war strategy. the strategy aims to root out Taliban militants before drawing down the military presence next year.The force said the air strikes took place after soldiers battling the rebels in Kunar province, a troubled region on the Pakistani border, called in air support. .Afghan leaders have criticised the use of air assaults on the grounds that they often cause civilian casualties, but NATO said no civilians were killed.