NATO forces kill 15 militants in S. Afghanistan

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) killed 15 militants in the southern Zabul province of Afghanistan, an ISAF spokesman told Xinhua on Sunday.

"An ISAF convoy came under fire of some militants in Deh Chopan district of Zabul province on Saturday. The forces returned fire and killed 15 insurgents," Maj. Luke Knittig said.

Two ISAF vehicles were damaged in the conflict and there were no ISAF casualties, he added.

Zabul and some other southern provinces of Kandahar, Uruzgan, Helmand, known as the heartland of Taliban and other rebels, have been the scene of increasing insurgency over the past years.

Due to rising Taliban-linked violence this year, Afghanistan has plunged into the worst spate of bloodshed since the Taliban regime was toppled down nearly five years ago.

More than 2,400 people, mostly Taliban militants, have been killed in this post-Taliban nation this year.

Source: Xinhua