'Rebels killed' in Afghan clash

US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan say they have killed four rebel fighters and repulsed an attack on a US base in the south of the country.

The militants fled across the border into Pakistan, a spokesman said.

The fighters killed were among 15 attackers who opened fire on a coalition special forces patrol near the southern town of Kandahar, the spokesman said.

Elsewhere, another special forces patrol gave chase to three militants after being shot at with small-arms fire near their base at Spin Boldak in Kandahar Province.

The patrol pursued the attackers until they crossed the Pakistan border.

There were no coalition casualties in either of the incidents.