Militants killed, 20 detained in central Afghanistan

The U.S.-led coalition forces killed some militants and captured 20 others early Saturday in Ghazni province of central Afghanistan, a coalition statement said.

The joint forces carried out operations against three compounds in Giro district, which credible intelligence said was a shelter of al-Qaeda militants, the statement said.

"Al-Qaeda fighters fired rocket propelled grenades and machine guns at coalition forces as they approached one of the compounds," it said, adding "The forces returned fire, killing the assailants. "

The forces also captured 20 suspected militants, according to the statement.

A RPK machine gun with 250 rounds of ammunition, an AK-47 machine gun with four full magazines, and two fragmentation grenades were recovered from the compounds, it added.

About 13,000 coalition forces are 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 militants, have been killed in Afghanistan this year.

Source: Xinhua