KABUL, Afghanistan – The U.S.-led coalition says several militants have been killed in clashes and airstrikes north of the Afghan capital Kabul.

The coalition says in a Saturday statement its troops targeted insurgents in Nijrab district of Kapisa province.

It says militants retaliated with rocket-propelled grenades and machine-gun fire before coalition troops called in airstrikes, killing several rebels Friday.

More than 3,700 people – mostly militants – have died in insurgency-related violence in Afghanistan this year.

About 24 militants were killed in two separate battles after they attacked a coalition base in Shaheed Hasas district of the southern Uruzgan province on Thursday. Two Afghan guards also died.