Three Taleban 'militants' killed

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US-led coalition and Afghan forces have killed three suspected militants during an operation in southern Afghanistan, officials say.

The militants fired at the forces during the operation in Helmand province, they said.

A coalition statement said their target "was a known Taleban leader and facilitator of suicide bombers".

Southern Afghanistan is a stronghold of the Taleban and thousands of foreign troops are fighting them there.

"In addition to ordering assassination of Afghan government officials, the militant leader is believed to have helped move suicide attackers into Helmand by way of Kandahar and other nearby cities," the release said.

Without identifying the suspect by name, the release said "the Taleban leader believed to have controlled as many as 200 fighters in the area".