US, Afghan forces kill 17 militants in clashes

US and Afghan troops have killed 17 insurgents in two days of clashes in southern Afghanistan as a pro-government Islamic cleric was gunned downed by suspected Taliban gunmen, the US military said Wednesday.

The militants were killed in fighting on Monday and Tuesday in the Taliban hotbed of Deh Chopan district in southern Zabul province, the US military said in a statement.

"Seventeen enemy combatants were killed and six were captured as Afghan and US forces conducted operations south of Deh Chopan... over the past two days," it said.

Another 23 people were being questioned regarding their involvement in the fighting, which was part of a sweep by US forces to deprive insurgents of their hideouts in the rugged, mountainous area.