More than 40 suspected Taleban militants have been killed in clashes since Monday, the US-led coalition in Afghanistan says. The clashes between militants and Afghan and coalition soldiers took place in Zabul and Uruzgan provinces, a coalition statement said.A statement by the US-led coalition said "more than 30" militants were killed in a clash with Afghan and Canadian forces in Arghandab district in Zabul on Monday. "Joint fires were employed, forcing remaining enemies to flee," the statement said.
A spokesman for the coalition said the operations against militants would continue in Zabul. "There are known Taleban extremists in Zabul province, and Afghan national security and coalition forces will continue to attack these enemies of Afghanistan until the province is safe and secure," Lt Col Paul Fitzpatrick said. "We will not be deterred from our mission to provide a safe and secure environment to the Afghan people," he added.
Another 14 militants were killed in two separate clashes in Uruzgan province on Thursday, coalition officials said. A clash happened in the Deh Rawood district when a coalition patrol "effectively disrupted the operations of approximately 30 insurgents" who were gathering outside a village. "Coalition forces attacked the extremist positions with artillery, killing 10 enemy fighters. The remaining enemy fighters broke contact and quickly fled the area," the statement said.