21 militants killed in Afghan operations

DEH RAWOD, Afghanistan, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Operations by Afghan and coalition forces resulted in the dismantling of roadside bombs in the south of Afghanistan and the deaths of 21 militants.

Officials say the daylong battle near the village of Deh Rawod was prompted when insurgents led an attack using rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire against a security patrol in the area leading to Afghan troops returning fire and calling in close-air support, the Combined Jointed Task Force-82 reported.

"Afghan national security forces quickly repelled the insurgent ambush," Army Maj. Chris Belcher, Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesman, said in a statement. "Those insurgents experienced first-hand the superior capabilities of the forces. The Afghan national security forces are working to rid Afghanistan of extremists who are working to destabilize the country and sabotage Afghan freedom."

Coalition and Afghan forces targeted a group of insurgents allegedly trying to place an improvised explosive device on a road near the village of Pada. Officials say air support was called in to drop munitions on the suspected IED location causing a secondary explosion.