A gun battle erupted between militants and the U.S.-led coalition forces in the southern Kandahar province of Afghanistan on Saturday morning, leaving five militants dead and two coalition soldiers wounded, a spokesman of coalition forces Julie Robert said.

"Exchange of fire between the enemies and coalition forces in Panjwai district in Kandahar province at 1:00 a.m. (2030GMT Friday) left five militants dead and five others were arrested. Two coalition soldiers were also injured in the incident," Robert told Xinhua.

Five coalition soldiers were injured in an attack by militants on Friday in the neighboring Zabul province.

Taliban-linked insurgency in this war-weary country has claimed over 1,000 lives, mostly insurgents, since the beginning of this year.

Source: Xinhua