US-led forces have reportedly killed an estimated 16 militants in southern Afghanistan over the past two days.
The militants were killed during an operation codenamed Vigilant Sentinel aimed at ensuring security for September 18th parliamentary and provincial council elections.
The US military said six militants were killed on Tuesday after Afghan and US forces saw them planting improvised explosive devices in Shinkay district of Zabul province.
An Afghan and US patrol also pinned down another group of militants southeast of the town of Tarin Kot and called in a B-52 bomber, A-10 attack aircraft and attack helicopters, it said, adding casualties there were being assessed.
Also yesterday, five militants were killed by aircraft, and ground fire northeast of Tarin Kot killed five more in Kandahar province, the statement said. It stated there were no US casualties.
About 30,000 US-led and Nato troops are in Afghanistan to provide security during elections, the last phase of a plan for political development agreed by Afghan factions and the international community after the Taliban were overthrown in 2001.