35 Taliban killed in Afghan clashes

The fighting erupted after dozens of Taliban fighters attacked Afghan security forces in Zabul.

At least 35 Taliban militants were killed in a battle with Afghan and US-led troops in restive southern Afghanistan, a provincial governor's spokesman said on Thursday.

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The fighting erupted on Wednesday after dozens of Taliban fighters attacked Afghan security forces in the southern province of Zabul, spokesman Gulab Shah Alikhil said.

The rebels were killed after US-led coalition forces responded with ground troops and warplanes after a call from their Afghan counterparts who came under attack in the province's Shahjoy district, Alikhil said.

"Initially our troops came under attack. They called for support from the coalition troops who responded with ground troops and air support. Thirty-five Taliban were killed in the subsequent fighting," he said.

The US-led coalition headquarters said it had no immediate information.