KABUL - Thirteen policemen were killed and two were missing after a major battle in southern Afghanistan which is believed to have left around 40 Taliban rebels dead, police said Thursday.
Fighting erupted in Helmand province late Wednesday after police stormed a district on a tip-off that Taliban fighters had gathered there, said interior ministry spokesman Yousuf Stanizai.
Thirteen police were killed, seven wounded and two missing after the hours-long fighting, Stanizai said, adding that about 40 Taliban are believed to have been killed.
05/18/2006 04:21 GMT