KABUL, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Several militants were killed and seven militants were detained during a joint Afghan and Coalition forces operation in Khost province of eastern Afghanistan, said a Coalition statement issued here Saturday.

    The U.S.-led Coalition forces while searching compounds along with Afghan troops in Sabari district of Khost, a province bordering Pakistan, came into contact with armed militants, it said.

    The operation targeted a militant cell with known links to the March 3 vehicle-borne explosion attack against the Sabari district government building, according to the U.S.-led military.

    Grenades, ammunition and ammunition vests were discovered in the compounds, the Coalition said.

    Around 20,000 multi-national soldiers under the flag of the U.S.-led Coalition forces were deployed in Afghanistan, mostly in the restive eastern regions, fighting militants.