'Taleban killed' in Afghan clash

A clash with Nato-led forces in the eastern Afghan province of Khost has left at least 11 Taleban fighters dead, officials have said.

A one-hour gun battle between police units and Taleban insurgents was followed by a Nato air strike.

"It was the Nato helicopters who caused the major blow to the enemy," provincial police spokesman Wazir Badshah told the AFP news agency.

A Nato spokeswoman said there were no civilian or military casualties.

The Taleban had attacked a local government headquarters in the Alishar district of Khost.

At least three police are said to have been wounded in the gun battle.

Eyewitness Mohammad Amin told AFP he had counted 13 bodies after the attack. "They were almost in a line which makes me think they were running one after another as they came under aerial attack," he said.

Khost, which is near the border with Pakistan and an area of Taleban activity, has seen frequent violence.

Last Sunday, six people have been killed and several wounded after two explosions hit the town.