At least 21 Taliban killed by Afghan forces

At least 21 rebels were killed today in fighting between Afghan forces and Taliban militants in a volatile southern province.

The Afghan army and Afghan police carried out a joint operation in the Gereshk district of Helmand province this morning, killing 15 fighters in one area and six in another, said Sher Mohammad Karimi, the Defence Ministry’s chief of operations.

He said no Nato or US forces were involved, but three Afghan policemen also died in the fighting.

Local officials gave a higher death toll, saying as many as 43 combatants died.