Dozens killed in Afghan battle

Kabul: NATO troops killed more than 70 Taleban insurgents in a battle in southern Afghanistan on Sunday, according to military commanders.

The four hour battle raged after soldiers engaged a group of fighters in the Helmand region, a stronghold for the Taleban.

A spokesman for the alliance said there were no NATO casualties, but added that three soldiers from NATO's International Security Assistance Force were wounded during another clash earlier in the day.

Elsewhere, NATO has also confirmed that a civilian MI-21 helicopter, with a crew of eight, had crashed in the Kandahar province.

The Afghan Interior Ministry said at least some of those on board had died, but ground forces had yet to reach the wreckage.

The helicopter was said to be carrying food and supplies.