KABUL, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Twenty Taliban extremists were killed in the southern Uruzgan province of Afghanistan on Saturday, coalition forces said in a press release.

    Afghan and coalition forces killed 20 Taliban militants after they attempted an ambush from a compound in Shahihi Hass district of Uruzgan province, it said.

    The combined force repelled the Taliban's small arms and rocket propelled grenades with superior fire and maneuver techniques and lethal close air support to kill the extremists, the press release said.

    There were no reported injuries to civilians, Afghan or coalition troops, it added.

    "Afghan and Coalition forces will continue to destroy the enemies of Afghanistan, who attempt to operate in Uruzgan province," said Col. Thomas Collins, coalition spokesperson.

    Over 11,000 Afghan and coalition troops have launched the massive Operation Mountain Thrust in Uruzgan and other three southern provinces since mid-May to wipe out Taliban militants there.

    More than 700 Taliban insurgents have been killed in the operation, according to coalition forces. Enditem