Two operations against militant activities in southern Afghan province of Kandahar and central province of Ghazni left nine militants dead on Friday, said statements of the US-led Coalition forces issued?on Saturday.

Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and Coalition forces on a sweep-and-clear operation Friday were attacked by militants using small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire in the Khakriz district of Kandahar province, said the statement.

"ANSF and Coalition forces responded with small-arms and RPG fire, killing five militants," it said.

A weapons cache which included four RPGs, one AK-47 and improvised explosive device-making materials was discovered and confiscated at the site of the operation, it said.

"No ANSF, Coalition forces or civilian casualties have been reported," it added.

In the other operation, the US-led Coalition forces killed four militants, including an Al-Qaeda commander and a Taliban commander in Ghanzi province.

"Two suspected militants were detained during the operation," it said.

Conflicts and spiraling insurgency so far this year have claimed the lives of over 4,500 people, mostly militants, despite over 70,000 foreign troops stationed in the war-torn Afghanistan.

(Xinhua News Agency October 11, 2008)