Afghan forces kill 21 Taliban insurgents

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Afghan forces have killed 21 Taliban insurgents in the southern province of Zabul, a provincial official said on Monday.

"We received intelligence that a sizeable group of Taliban militants were gathered in the Shah Joy district of Zabul in an attempt to block the Kabul-Kandahar highway, and to launch attacks on Afghan and foreign forces," said provincial deputy governor Gulab Shah Alikhil.

Afghan troops killed 21 of the insurgents in the ensuing gun battle late on Sunday, he said, adding that there were no government casualties. A clean-up operation was still going on, he said.

Taliban spokesmen could not be immediately reached for comment.

Afghanistan has seen a rise in Taliban roadside bombs, suicide attacks and guerrilla warfare in recent months, mostly in the south and southeastern provinces.

More than 6,500 people have been killed in the past 18 months, the bloodiest period since US-led and Afghan forces toppled the Taliban in 2001.