In Afghanistan, NATO-led troops killed 10 militants during an operation in the eastern Paktika province while locals in central Ghazni province protested against alleged killing of civilians. Spokesman for provincial administration in Paktika said the army operation occurred in Giana district last evening when the international troops raided a Taliban hideout, leaving 10 militants dead, including their commander. He added that militants were preparing to attack government installations in the district but the troops foiled their plan in pre-emptive attack.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, angry Afghan villagers took to the streets in Ghazni province today claiming that civilians were killed in a raid by Afghan and NATO troops but the international force said the dead were militants. NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said it killed four militants including a 15-year-old boy in an operation in the Qarabagh district last night. But about 100 angry villagers brought five coffins to Ghazni city, claiming that three of the dead were civilians, including two children below the age of seven. Civilian casualties is a sensitive issue in Afghanistan with many believing it is turning public opinion against the western forces.