Kabul - US-led coalition forces killed five Taliban militants in southern and eastern Afghanistan in two separate operations, the military said Saturday.

The joint forces were conducting a search operation targeting a Taliban sub-commander in Andar district of southern Ghazni province on Friday when they encountered two armed militants, the US military said in a statement.

The soldiers killed the militants and recovered multiple AK-47 rifles, and materials used for making roadside bombs from the targeted compound, the statement.

It did not say if the targeted commander was killed or arrested during operation.

Three other militants were killed in eastern Kunar province on Friday by a coalition airstrike as they were approaching a military base in the area, the statement said.

"Three armed militants engaged the force with small-arms' fire. The force returned fire, killing the three militants," it said.

Following the deadliest year in 2007, which left more than 6,000 people dead, Taliban militants have stepped up their attacks against Afghan and some 70,000 international troops in country this year.

More than 4,000 people - mostly insurgents - have been killed in Afghanistan conflict so far this year. (dpa)