2 Taliban commanders killed, 7 soldiers injured in clash in Afghanistan

KABUL, April 12 -- A clash erupted between government troops and

Taliban insurgents in the southern Helmand province claimed several Taliban

militants' lives including their two group commanders, a press release of

Defense Ministry said Sunday.

"The gun battle occurred on Saturday in Nad Ali district during which some

insurgents along with two of their commanders were killed," the press release

said, adding "seven soldiers were also slightly injured in the clash."

It also said that the troops discovered two mines in Shahjoy district of

the neighboring Zabul province on the same day and defused them.

In another incident, three soldiers with Afghan National Army (ANA) were

wounded as their vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Afghan eastern Khost province

on Sunday, said an ANA officer.

"A roadside bomb which planted by rebels hit the vehicle of ANA in Duwa

Manda district, wounding three soldiers," Gen. Hisrar told Xinhua.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said that the explosion claimed five

ANA soldiers' lives.

Conflicts and Taliban-link insurgency are expected to go up in Afghanistan

as Taliban militants vowed to intensify assaults against government and foreign

troops.