33 killed in Afghanistan battle

Afghan and Nato forces clashed with Taliban militants in a dangerous southern region overnight, leaving 33 Afghanis dead, the provincial governor said today.

Joint forces carried out the night-time operation in the Zhari district of Kandahar, said provincial governor Asadullah Khalid. Four other suspected militants were arrested, including three wounded in the battle. There were no casualties among Afghan or Nato forces, he said.