Heavy fighting claims 71 lives in Afghanistan

Fierce fighting has killed 58 Taliban militants and 13 Afghan policemen in the southern province of Helmand.

Fierce fighting killed 58 Taliban militants and 13 Afghan policemen in the southern province of Helmand, an official confirmed on Thursday.

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Hundreds of Taliban militants attacked the Mussa Qala district of Helmand since 4:30 pm on Wednesday, said Yosuf Stanizi, spokesman of interior ministry.

Six police were injured, while two were missing in the 12-hour battle, he said.

Meanwhile, Canadian troops killed 13 Taliban militants and lost one of their own soldiers in the restive province of Kandahar, said an official of the Canadian forces, stationed in the country.

Canadian troops killed 18 insurgents and arrested 40 others, Major Qeento Innis from the Canadian army added. The fighting in Kandahar is still going on.