Kabul - US-led coalition forces targeted and killed a militant while detaining two others during an operation to disrupt Taliban activities in Wardak province, west of Kabul, officials said on Tuesday.

Coalition forces searched several compounds in Sayad Abad District Monday looking for a militant leader that has smuggled munitions and conducted attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the area, the statement released from Bagram military base said.

"During the course of the operation, the targeted militant, armed with a pistol, threatened the force and was killed with small-arms fire," it added.

Coalition forces identified several militants maneuvering against them in a wooded area and responded with air strikes, it said, adding, "Coalition forces discovered and confiscated a cache of weapons, grenades, ammunition and a vehicle being used for Taliban operations." (dpa)