NATO soldier, 35 insurgents killed in Afghan clashes

KABUL - A NATO soldier and 35 Taliban insurgents were killed in clashes in Afghanistan, the military alliance said Tuesday.

“A NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) soldier was killed following an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan Tuesday,” a military statement said without revealing the deceased’s nationality.

Over 450 international troops, most of them from the US, have been killed in the conflict this year.

ISAF said Tuesday that its forces had killed at least 35 insurgents and captured several key Taliban weapons suppliers in recent days. The operation, which began Saturday, aimed at establishing security for the upcoming parliamentary elections in the country, it said.

The operation is focused on clearing Kabul province of insurgents.

“What we are seeing are the metrics of a successful operation in an area that the enemy used to feel pretty secure operating in,” NATO spokesman Steve Townsend said.

A roadside bomb wounded seven civilians in the southern province of Paktika, ISAF said Tuesday.

The incident took place Monday in Zarghun Shar, a district in the province.

NATO said the bomb was intended for the local Afghan police chief.

“Three of the seven were treated at an Afghan National Army aid station and the other four had minor wounds. The police chief was not injured,” the statement said.

Taliban rely on roadside bombs as part of their insurgency against Afghan and NATO forces.