Kabul, Dhu Al-Hijjah 21, 1431, Nov 27, 2010, SPA -- NATO-led forces and Afghan troops killed at least 17 suspected militants in operations in southern and eastern Afghanistan, the alliance said Saturday. The most deadly operation was conducted Friday night by Afghan and foreign soldiers in the Sherzad district of the eastern province of Nangarhar to find a Taliban leader after they received a tip about his location, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said in a statement quoted by the German Press Agency "DPA." The joint forces were attacked by suspected insurgents upon arrival at the targeted area, it said, adding that the forces responded and "killed more than 15 armed insurgents." "Further inspection of the engagement area confirmed all of the insurgents were armed with multiple automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and rounds, and hand grenades," the ISAF said. No soldiers or civilians were injured, it said. Meanwhile, two suspected insurgents were killed and several were detained Friday by Afghan and ISAF forces after they used indirect fire in more than "17 unsuccessful attempts" to target the Afghan and ISAF forces in the southern province of Helmand, the ISAF said. --SPA 11:46 LOCAL TIME 08:46 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/839721