US coalition: Militants killed in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan — The U.S.-led coalition says it has killed several militants during an operation in eastern Afghanistan.

Interior Ministry spokesman Zemeri Bashary says the government is investigating villagers' claims that three civilians were among those killed.

A coalition statement says the troops were attacked while searching compounds Friday in the Shinwar district of Nangarhar province. It says the forces killed "several militants" and arrested nine others.

Villagers protested Saturday over the reported civilian casualties.

Fazel Hadi Muslimyar, head of the Nangarhar provincial council, says police opened fire on the protesters, killing one and wounding three.

Police declined to comment.

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