By Xinhua,
Kabul : The U.S.-led Coalition on Friday eliminated several militants in an operation to disrupt militant activities in Kapisa province, some 80 kilometers north from Afghan capital Kabul, said a Coalition statement released here on Saturday.
The force searched a compound in Nijrab district targeting a Taliban commander smuggling weapons into Afghanistan, as well as conducting IED (Improvised Explosive Device) attacks against international forces, the statement said.
“After receiving heavy AK-47 and RPG fire, Coalition forces instructed the militants to come out peacefully in order to de-escalate the situation when several women and children exited the compound and were moved to a safe area,” it said.
Coalition forces continued engaged militants with precision airstrikes, killing several militants, it added.
Taliban insurgents who staged a violent comeback three years ago have intensified their activities targeting Afghan and international troops over the past weeks to mount pressure on the government despite around 70,000 foreign troops stationed in the war-torn country vowing to keep peace and help reconstruction here.
Conflicts and spiraling insurgency have claimed the lives of over 3,000 people so far this year.