Clashes kill 35 soldiers in S. Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, Aug 27 (KUNA) -- At least 35 Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) soldiers were reportedly killed and nearly 60 wounded in an attack by Taliban rebels in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province, said officials on Thursday.
The attack on Musa Qala district of Helmand came after a weeklong clash between the Taliban and troops in the area, said Helmand provincial council head, Mohammad Karim Atal. Earlier on Wednesday, media reports claimed that Musa Qala district had fallen into the hands of the Taliban but officials rejected the report saying that heavy clashes were ongoing in the area.
The clashes came at a time when Taliban rebels have paced up their attacks across Afghanistan following their annual warm weather offensive against the foreign and local security forces.(end) sbk.ag