Coalition troops kill 24 Taliban fighters

US-led coalition and Afghan forces clashed with Taliban fighters and called in an airstrike, leaving 24 suspected militants dead and two coalition forces wounded, a statement said today.

The joint forces clashed with Taliban fighters after they were ambushed while patrolling yesterday in the volatile Sangin district of Helmand, the coalition statement said.

Acting on intelligence of militant activity involving 40 Taliban, coalition forces then called an airstrike, the statement said.

The seven-hour battle left 24 militants dead, it said, adding that two coalition forces members suffered minor injuries and are in a stable condition.