Six Islamic State (IS) militants, including a senior member of the group, were eliminated by airstrikes on their hideout in Kirkuk province in northern Iraq, the Security Media Cell (a media outlet affiliated with the Iraqi Army's Joint Operations Command) reported.

The terrorists were killed in three airstrikes on the IS hideout by Iraqi F-16 fighters based on intelligence reports and two months of monitoring, the statement said.

The airstrikes were followed by a raid by security forces. The military recovered six bodies, one of which is believed to be that of a senior IS member known as Omer Salah Nema, nom de guerre Abu Khattab.

The military also seized explosive belts, weapons and phones used by the terrorists.