In Afghanistan, Army and NATO forces claimed to have killed at least twenty militants in two separate operations in south and north of the country. At least 15 militants were killed when combined Afghan and NATO patrol repelled an attack in Sangin district of southern Helmand province on Thursday. A NATO statement issued today said coalition forces called for close air support and engaged militant positions with two rounds of precision artillery. In another incident, Afghan forces backed by NATO-led troops killed five Taliban militants during overnight operation in northern Kunduz province. Deputy Provincial Police Chief Abdul Rahman Haqtash said today that a special operation unit of the Afghan Army and NATO-led forces on Thursday night raided a compound in Bagh-e-Shirkat area, northwest of the provincial capital of Kunduz city killing five enemies.