Kabul  - The US-led coalition troops claim to have killed more than a dozen Taliban insurgents in the southern Afghanistan province of Helmand in response to an attack by the rebels, the military reported Wednesday.

A vehicle carrying humanitarian assistance in a coalition convoy struck a roadside bomb while approaching Putay town in Helmand province and then was ambushed by insurgents using small-arms fire.

"During the fighting, another coalition vehicle struck a mine," said the military in a statement.

Coalition air support was called in after the rebels were seen entering homes. There have been no reports of civilian casualties.

The Taliban, who lost power after the US military invasion of in late 2001, have recently rallied and waged a bloody war against the Afghan government and its military allies.

The militancy so far this year has claimed the lives of more than 1,500 people, mostly insurgents and civilians. (dpa)