US-led coalition forces clashed with suspected militants in central Afghanistan, leaving several insurgents dead and detaining two, a statement from the coalition said.

There is no evidence that American soldiers desecrated the Koran during a raid on an Afghan home, the US military said today.

THE US military has launched a new “Most Wanted” campaign offering rewards of up to $200,000 (€141,500) for information leading to the capture of 12 Taliban and al-Qaida leaders.

An investigation into US-led airstrikes that slammed into Afghan homes where Taliban fighters sought shelter found that 62 insurgents and 45 civilians were killed, two Afghan officials said today.

The US-led coalition and Afghan troops have apologised after they launched airstrikes against a compound suspected of housing al-Qaida militants in eastern Afghanistan, killing seven children and several militants.