KABUL, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Five militants were detained on Tuesday during an operation launched by the U.S.-led Coalition forces to disrupt Taliban activities in southern Afghan province of Helmand, said a Coalition statement.

    Coalition forces searched compounds in Nad Ali district of Helmand targeting a senior Taliban leader and IED (improvised explosive device), facilitator in the area, the statement said.

    During the search, the force discovered multiple AK-47s and a cache of opium which were destroyed on the spot to prevent any possible militant use, it added.

    Attacks on Afghan and international troops are on the rise during past weeks especially in southern and eastern Afghanistan where the Taliban militants continue to demonstrate their strength through suicide and roadside bombings.

    Escalating insurgency and violent incidents have left more than2,000 people dead since January this year in the war-torn Afghanistan.