The Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and the U.S.-led Coalition forces have killed more than 220 militants during clean-up operations in southern Afghan province of Helmand since Aug. 25, said a Coalition statement released in Kabul on Monday.

The joint forces were attacked repeatedly by militants with small-arms and heavy-weapons fire during multiple engagements while soldiers responded with small-arms fire, heavy-weapons and close air support, eliminating the militant threats, the statement said.

"Operations in the area lead to the discovery and destruction of multiple weapons caches including ammonium nitrate, 107mm rockets, motorcycles, 60mm mortar rounds and small-arms ammunition, it said.

"No ANSF or Coalition forces service members have been killed during the operations," it added.

Taliban insurgents who staged a violent comeback three years ago have intensified their activities targeting Afghan and international troops across Afghanistan to mount pressure on the government despite around 70,000 foreign troops stationed in the war-torn country vowing to keep peace and help reconstruction here.

Conflicts and spiraling insurgency have claimed the lives of over 3,200 people so far this year.

(Xinhua News Agency September 1, 2008)