Kabul - Several militants were killed in the central Afghan province Ghazni during an operation by the US-led coalition forces targeting a Taliban leader, military officials said Tuesday.

Coalition forces Monday searched compounds in Gairo district for a militant leader known to conduct foreign fighter operations in the provinces Ghazni and Paktika, a military statement said.

Militants fired at the coalition troops with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades.

"Coalition forces responded with small-arms fire and airstrikes, killing the militants and damaging a building," the statement said, but provided no information on the number of militants killed.

During their search, the coalition forces discovered materials for making roadside bombs and rigged bombs within a building, as well as a vehicle rigged with explosives, the statement added. (dpa)