2 ANA, 2 Taliban fighters killed in Afghanistan

KABUL, May 23 -- Recent clashes between Afghan security forces and Taliban insurgents have claimed the lives of two Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers and two insurgents, according to a Defense Ministry statement issued here Saturday.

"One ANA soldier was killed and two others sustained injuries last Thursday as a mortar fired by rebels exploded near their convoy, in Chaqhato district of Central Wardak province, where nine assault rifles were found by ANA in a cleanup operation," the statement said.

According to the statement, an ANA soldier was also killed in a direct firefight with anti- government militants in Balamurghab district of northwestern Badghis province last Thursday.

In two separate incidents, ANA also inflicted casualties to enemy - one armed militant was killed in Kapisa province some 70 km north of Afghan capital Kabul and another killed in eastern Paktika province, with tow AK-47 machine-guns and communication equipment found in their possession, the statement said.

Taliban militants stationed in Afghanistan have vowed to intensify their attacks against Afghan and international troops based in Afghanistan.