Kabul - More than 20 Taliban militants were killed and injured during a clash and airstrike in eastern Kunar province while several other insurgents were also killed in a US-led coalition operation, officials said on Sunday.

The Afghan Defense Ministry said it caused more than 20 rebel casualties during a clash in Baila and Nanglam area in eastern Kunar province.

"The militants were traveling in two vehicles when they were attacked by Afghan troops supported by NATO airstrikes," it said.

The US military claimed to have killed an unspecified number of insurgents Sunday in eastern Nangarhar province.

"Intelligence revealed a large group of militants operating in Deh Bala District, coalition forces identified the militants in a mountainous region and used precision airstrikes to kill them," the US statement said. (dpa)