The US-led Coalition forces hunting Taliban operatives in Afghanistan in their three days' operations have killed dozens of militants and wounded more than two dozens others, a statement of the alliance released in Kabul on Monday said.

The casualties, according to the statement, were inflicted on militants in the eastern Paktika province when the troops came under attack early weekend and returned fire.

"Coalition forces in the Zerok District of Paktika province inflicted heavy casualties in response to an extremist ambush in that area June 20 during which around 55 anti-Afghan forces were killed, 25 wounded," the statement stressed.

In the operation supported by airpower, three militants were detained, the statement further said.

In a similar operation the US-led Coalition forces in conjunction with Afghan troops on Sunday in Sangin district of the southern Helmand province had killed scores of militants, another statement said.

However, it did not give the exact figure of militants' casualties but added there were no casualties on the troops.

Afghan troops, according to the statement spotted a three-man mortar team near a village in Sangin district while on a security patrol and the mortar team attacked the patrol with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.

Taliban militants have not made comment.

Attacks on international troops are on the rise during past weeks especially in southern and eastern Afghanistan where the Taliban militants continue to demonstrate their strength through suicide and roadside bombings.

Escalating insurgency and violent incidents have left around 2, 000 people dead since January this year in the war-torn Afghanistan.

(Xinhua News Agency June 24, 2008)