KABUL, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-led coalition forces and Afghan police killed about 10 insurgents in Helmand province of southern Afghanistan on Friday, a coalition statement said.

    The combined force was attacked by an estimated 20 militants from multiple building and trenches using small-arms fire, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades near Qal'Eh-Ye Gaz, the statement said.

    The force repelled the attack with accurate small-arms fire and artillery, it said, adding as the insurgents attempted to flee, the combined force successfully cut off their escape route.

    "Nearly a dozen insurgents were killed during the battle," the statement said.

    No coalition soldiers and Afghan policemen were injured in the conflict, which happened on the western side of the Helmand River,it added.

    Helmand has been a hotbed of Taliban militants, who clash with government and foreign troops frequently.

    Due to rising Taliban violence, over 3,900 persons have been killed in Afghanistan this year.