By Xinhua,
Kabul : Twenty militants have been killed in an operation carried out by the Afghan and US-led security forces in Afghanistan’s southern Helmand province, officials said Saturday.
The security forces were on a patrol in Taliban strongholds in Kajaki district Friday when they were ambushed by insurgents with mortar and small-arms fire. In the ensuing gun battle, 20 militants were killed, the coalition forces said in a statement.
“The joint forces returned fire with small arms and called for close-air support destroying six enemy fighting positions and killing 20 insurgents,” it said.
There were no casualties on the side of the coalition forces.
At least 100 militants have been killed in clashes with the security forces in Helmand province since March 30.