32 suspected Afghan militants killed

KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Coalition troops killed 32 suspected militants in Afghanistan as part of an operation targeting a possible bombing cell, the military said Wednesday.

The U.S.-led coalition military said in a statement that the operation in the Laghman Province had targeted a Taliban network suspected of building and using roadside bombs during the last year, the Kuwait News Agency, KUNA, reported.

The troops also managed to destroy two large caches of explosives, weapons and bomb materials during the operation, the military said.

The military said while coalition forces were approaching the designated operation area, they came under fire from nearly 75 armed militants.

U.S. forces spokesman Col. Jerry O'Hara said coalition troops managed to kill 32 of the militants during the ensuing firefight while taking steps to ensure the safety of area civilians.

O'Hara said troops relocated area locals, including women and children, to a safe location to protect them during the armed conflict, KUNA reported.