28 Taliban killed in Afghanistan fighting
Dated 15/8/2005
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Kandahar, Aug 16. (AP): More fighting across southern Afghanistan has left 28 suspected Taliban rebels dead as violence rages on in the countdown to crucial legislative elections next month, officials said on Monday.
The bloodiest battle occurred in Zabul province on Sunday when Afghan forces attacked suspected militants, killing 16 and arresting one, according to a statement from the Defense Ministry in the capital, Kabul.
Among the dead was a local Taliban commander, Mullah Nasir, the ministry statement said.
Also on Sunday, a gun battle between Afghan soldiers and insurgents left five militants dead in neighboring Uruzgan province's Dehrawud district, the statement said.
Earlier, Afghan forces had said seven militants had been killed.
In Zabul, alleged insurgents mistakenly detonated a mine that was intended to hit a convoy of U.S.-led coalition and Afghan forces on Sunday.
The blast killed one militant and wounding another, said Sori district chief Rovi Khan.
In an adjacent district, Tirin Kot, police hunted down and killed six suspected guerrillas who attacked a highway checkpoint, said provincial Gov. Jan Mohammed Khan. Nine alleged militants were arrested in a sweep of the area.
No security forces were hurt in any of the clashes, according to the statement and governor.
