KABUL, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-led Coalition forces and Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) have eliminated more than three dozens of militants over two days of fierce fighting in southern Afghanistan, said a Coalition statement released here on Friday.

　　Several groups of militants engaged ANSF and Coalition forces reconnaissance patrol with machine guns, RPGs (Rocket Propelled Grenade) and small arms, the statement said.

　　ANSF and Coalition forces returned fire with small arms and called in close air support destroying multiple enemy's vehicles and their fighting positions, it said.

　　The combined force also seized several RPGs, weapons, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and a large opium cache, it added.

　　"Two Afghan villagers were wounded by shrapnel from an air strike," it said, "no ANSF, Coalition forces, civilian casualties or additional wounded were reported."

　　Taliban insurgents who staged a violent comeback three years ago have intensified their activities across Afghanistan over the past weeks to mount pressure on the government despite around 70,000 foreign troops stationed in the war-torn country vowing to keep peace and help reconstruction here.

　　Conflicts and spiraling insurgency have claimed the lives of more than 2,500 people including militants, troops and civilians so far this year in Afghanistan.