Afghanistan ? U.S.-led troops attacked a compound where Taliban leaders were meeting and killed 30 militants, American and Afghan military officials said Friday, but the Interior Ministry said a large number of civilians died. The U.S. said it would investigate.

The coalition was striking back against insurgents opposed to the Western-backed government of President Hamid Karzai who have stepped up attacks on foreign and Afghan troops.

The coalition said its troops called in airstrikes on the compound in the Shindand district of western Herat province Thursday.

Some 30 militants were killed and five others were detained, a spokesman, 1st Lt. Nathan Perry, said. The troops found a haul of weapons and ammunition inside the compound, he said.