The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) have eliminated over 20 insurgents during a two-day operation in central eastern Afghan province of Wardak, said the alliance statement released?in Kabul?on Monday.

Meanwhile, the US-led Coalition forces have detained eight suspected militants in Paktiya of eastern Afghan province, it said.

ISAF engaged militants with "close-air support" in Jalrez district of Wardak since October 16 and pushed the militants south into another district of Nerkh, said the statement.

"After 10 hours of fighting in Nerkh, ISAF troops countered the insurgent threat and secured those districts killing over 20 militants," it said. "No ISAF soldiers were killed during the engagements," it added.

In another operation, Coalition forces detained eight suspected militants on Sunday to disrupt the Haqqani network in Paktia province, said the statement.

"Coalition forces searched a compound in Zadran District, targeting a Haqqani sub-commander who is suspected of coordinating militant activities to destabilize Afghan government," it said.

"No civilian or Coalition forces casualties have been reported following the operation," it added.

Jalaludin Haqani, who served as a minister and chief of army staff during Taliban regime in Afghanistan, is a close aide to Taliban chief Mullah Mohammad Omar and has been leading Taliban fighters in east Afghanistan to mount pressure on Afghan government and international troops deployed there in the post-Taliban nation.

Conflicts and spiraling insurgency have claimed the lives of over 4,500 people, mostly militants, so far this year in the war-torn country.

(Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2008)