The coalition says initial reports indicate that about 30 insurgents had been killed. - Photo by AFP

KABUL: The US-led Nato coalition in Afghanistan says militants attacked a convoy of Afghan and coalition troops in the east of the country, starting a fire fight that left about 30 of the attacking insurgents dead.

The coalition says the joint force called for air support during the gunbattle Friday in Shinwar district of Nangarhar province.

The coalition says initial reports indicate that about 30 insurgents had been killed. It did not disclose other details or say whether any Afghan or coalition forces were killed or wounded.

International forces have concentrated on Taliban strongholds in southern Afghanistan in recent years, but have shifted their focus to the east along the border with Pakistan.