20 suspected militants killed in Afghanistan clashes

Militants battled Afghan and US-led coalition troops in three separate clashes in southern Afghanistan, leaving 20 militants and one policemen dead.

Militants attacked at least three police checkpoints in Ghazni province yesterday, and ensuing gun battles left 13 militants and one officer dead, said. Gen. Ali Shah Ahmadzai, the provincial police chief.

In Zabul province, Afghan and US-led coalition forces clashed with suspected Taliban militants yesterday in Shahjoy district, leaving seven militants dead and six others wounded, said Ali Kheil, a spokesman for the province’s governor.