US-led coalition: 12 militants killed in Afghanistan

A coalition statement says the troops were targeting Taliban weapons supply operations in the Garmser district of Helmand province.

It says the troops opened fire and called in airstrikes after observing militants trying to set up an ambush.

The troops discovered weapons and ammunition while searching the compounds after Monday's operation.

U.S. Marines pushed into Garmser late last month, aiming to open a route to move troops to the southern reaches of Helmand.

Helmand is the center of the Taliban-led insurgency.