WORLD> Middle East
Over a dozen militants killed in S. Afghanistan
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-27 13:43

KABUL -- Afghan National Security Forces(ANSF) backed by the US-led Coalition forces have killed over a dozen militants in southern Afghan province of Helmand, said a Coalition statement released here on Wednesday.

ANSF and Coalition forces spotted a large number of heavily armed militants gathering in small groups during a combat patrol in Sangin district of Helmand on Monday, the statement said.

"The joint troops engaged the militants with small arms, machine guns, and called in close air support, killing more than a dozen militants," it said, "no ANSF, Coalition forces or Afghan civilian casualties have been reported."

In another incident, four militants, including a targeted individual, were detained during a Coalition forces operation to disrupt militant activities in eastern Afghan province of Paktika on Tuesday, according to the statement.

Taliban insurgents who staged a violent comeback three years ago have intensified their activities across Afghanistan over the past weeks to mount pressure on the government despite around 70, 000 foreign troops stationed here vowing to keep peace and help reconstruction here.

Conflicts and spiraling insurgency have claimed the lives of over 3,000 people mostly militants in Afghanistan so far this year.