In Afghanistan, state and American forces killed 40 militants in 24 hours as they hunted for militants in mountainous eastern part of the country.<br/>The defence ministry spokesman Gen Mohammad Zahir Azimi said 10 Afghan army troops were also killed in the process. The violence comes at a time when the Obama administration is grappling with how to quell the conflict, including whether the US should send tens of thousands more troops.<br/><br/>