Afghan, NATO forces kill at least 35 militants in separate clashes

Kabul - At least 35 militants including two rebel commanders were killed in separate clashes with Afghan and coalition forces, and 14 others were detained, officials said Saturday. Two commanders were among 20 militants killed in a fight with Afghan ground forces and an airstrike by NATO forces in the Aab Band district of southern Ghazni province on Friday, Asmail Jahangir, spokesman for the provincial governor said. "Twenty Taliban, including, Mullah Hafiz and Mullah Kochi, were killed in this operation," Jahangir said, adding that the militants were killed after the joint forces got intelligence information about their presence in the area. Meanwhile, two would-be suicide bombers were killed when their explosive-filled vest exploded prematurely in northern province of Faryab, Afghan Defence Ministry said in a statement. The... [read full story]