Violence in southern Afghanistan:13 Taliban militants and 1 policeman killed

Ten militants were killed and two were captured by Led Coalition Forces during a search Tuesday of a suspected Taliban compound in volatile southern Afghanistan.

The joint forces raided a compound in search of a Taliban sub-commander in the Sangin Valley area of Helmand province and were hit by small-arms fire, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars from nearby buildings, the coalition said in a statement.

The troops killed several militants armed with mortars and rocket-propelled grenades attempting to fire from trenches, the statement said. There were no injuries to Afghan or coalition forces.

Separately in neighboring Kandahar province, militants clashed with police late Monday in Shah Wali Kot, leaving three militants and one officer dead, said Kandahar police chief Esmatullah Alizai.

In eastern Paktia province, militants also clashed with police in Jani Khel district on Monday, wounding three officers and damaging three of their vehicles before authorities sent reinforcements to the area, said Gen. Murad Ali, deputy corps commander for the Afghan National Army in Paktia province.