Kabul  - The US military command said 30 militants in the southern Afghan province of Helmand were killed when they attacked an international patrol.

A patrol led by Afghan troops in Helmand's Gereshk district was attacked by the militants using rocket-propelled grenades late Thursday, the US military said.

The patrol, returned fire and with the aid of air support killed 30 of the attackers, the US statement said. One Afghan soldier suffered light injuries.

The statement did not mention any civilian casualties. (dpa)