KABUL, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Afghan and the U.S.-led coalition forces killed over 100 Taliban militants in a clash lasting into Wednesday in Helmand province of southern Afghanistan, a coalition statement said.

    The joint forces were attacked by Taliban militants in Musa Qala district on Tuesday morning and a clash broke out and is still on-going, the statement said, adding rebels were continuing to reinforce their positions.

    The ground force commander requested coalition artillery and close air support, which effectively engaged the positively identified Taliban positions, the statement said.

    "The initial estimate by the ground force commander assessed that more than 104 insurgents were killed thus far in the engagement," it said.

    One coalition soldier was killed and four others were injured, it added.

    About 13,000 coalition soldiers are being deployed in Afghanistan to fight militant and keep security.

    Due to rising Taliban violence, over 4,800 persons, most of whom were Taliban militants, have been killed in Afghanistan this year.