Afghan troops kill 13 militants

KABUL - Thirteen Taliban militants have been killed in a gunfight with the security forces near the Afghan capital, an official said Wednesday.

The incident took place Tuesday evening after Taliban militants attacked Afghan soldiers in the Salar area, 70 km west of Kabul. In the ensuing gunfight, 13 rebels, including two of their commanders, were killed, provincial administration spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said.

He said there was no casualty on the Afghan troops’ side.

The Taliban militants have vowed to intensify their attacks on the Afghan and international troops in the war-torn county.