Taliban insurgents, and the ensuing battle and airstrikes killed at least 10 militants, the coalition said. The forces were conducting a combat patrol Thursday near the town of Washer in Helmand province when they saw civilians leaving the area, "providing an early warning to the (Afghan army) that an attack was forthcoming," said a coalition statement issued late Thursday.
The troops were ambushed by "an estimated 50 insurgents" who were holed up in several positions and buildings in the area. The troops called for airstrikes to assist in the battle.
"Ten insurgents have been confirmed killed with scores more estimated to have been killed or wounded," the statement said. No Afghan or coalition forces were reported wounded. There were no reports of Afghan civilian casualties.
Afghan forces have recently clashed with insurgents several times in the Washer district of Helmand province, which is a key front in the battle between international forces and the Taliban. Helmand is also the biggest opium-producing province in Afghanistan.
Military operations and militant violence has killed more than 3,600 people this year, most of them militants.
