KABUL, Afghanistan, April 19, SPA --U.S.-led coalition and Afghan forces clashed with Taliban fighters and called in an air strike in southern Afghanistan, leaving 24 suspected militants dead, while three more died in an ambush in the west, the coalition said Thursday. The joint forces battled Taliban fighters for seven hoursafter they were ambushed while patrolling Wednesday in the volatile Sangin district of Helmand province, a coalition statement said. Acting on intelligence of militant activity involving 40Taliban, coalition forces then called an air strike, thestatement said. The battle left 24 militants dead, whiletwo coalition soldiers suffered minor injuries and are in astable condition, it was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/442445