The U.S.-led coalition and Afghan forces killed about 20 militants in southern Afghanistan, a coalition statement said Saturday.

The joint forces were attacked by militants in Shah Wali Kot district in Kandahar province on Sunday, the statement said.

The forces returned fire and pursued the fleeing enemy attackers, killing nearly 20 militants in a seven-hour firefight, it added.

Also on Friday, coalition and Afghan forces killed several militants in Shahidi Hassas district of Uruzgan province.

About 13,000 coalition forces were being deployed in Afghanistan to hunt down militants and keep security.

Due to rising Taliban-linked insurgency, over 2,300 persons, most of whom were Taliban rebels, have been killed in Afghanistan this year.

Source: Xinhua