By Xinhua,
Kabul : The U.S.-led Coalition forces have killed several “extremists” and detained six others during an anti-insurgent operation in Helmand province of southern Afghanistan, according to a Coalition statement issued here Saturday.
The U.S.-led military identified several “extremists” maneuvering against the force and responded with small arms fire and an air strike on May 23 during a search of compounds in Garmser district targeting “a extremist cell conducting financing, weapons and foreign fighter operations in the area,” it said, giving no more information.
Afghan and foreign troops have intensified operations in restive eastern and southern provinces in Afghanistan, where an escalating militancy-related fighting and violence left 8,000 people dead in 2007, a record high since 2001.
The U.S. is leading a 20,000-strong multi-national force in Afghanistan, majority of which is deployed in restive eastern and southern regions, with security mission.