Updated on
Summary
Afghan troops and NATO war jets pounded insurgents during a fierce battle in southern Afghanistan, killing 17 Taliban, the defense ministry said on Sunday. The weekend fighting erupted after rebels fired several mortars at an Afghan army position in the southern province of Zabul, a known Taliban hotspot, the ministry said in a statement. Afghan troops were dispatched after the enemy position was identified and a very fierce battle took place, it said. During the battle, which was backed by international forces' air support and lasted for one hour, 17 terrorists were killed, the statement said, adding that another militant wounded in the fighting was captured.
