US: More than 24 militants killed in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan—More than 24 militants were killed in two separate battles with U.S.-led coalition troops in Afghanistan, the coalition said Friday.

More than a dozen militants were killed after they attacked a coalition base in Shaheed Hasas district of the southern Uruzgan province on Thursday, the coalition said. Two Afghan guards also died during the attack.

Coalition troops responded with small arms fire, mortars and airstrikes, killing the militants, the coalition said.

Separately, about a dozen militants were killed during a raid by coalition troops in eastern Paktika province, also on Thursday, the coalition said.

The forces were searching compounds in Paktika's Bermel district for a militant responsible for "the movement of foreign fighters from Pakistan into Afghanistan," according to the coalition.

Militants fired on them during the sweep and they responded with gunfire, killing the militants.

More than 3,700 people -- mostly militants -- have died in insurgency related violence in Afghanistan this year.