Thirteen killed in Afghan border post clash

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Mar 11 (Reuters) Eight Afghan border security soldiers and five Taliban fighters have been killed in a clash in southern Afghanistan, near the Pakistan border, a senior official said today.

The fighting broke out in Arghastan district of Kandahar province after insurgents attacked a border security post on Saturday night.

''A major operation has been launched against the rebels in the area,'' Abdul Razzaq, chief of the border security force in the area, told Reuters.

He said two soldiers were also wounded in the fighting.

Southern and eastern regions of Afghanistan, near the Pakistan border, have remained strongholds of Taliban militants and have borne the brunt of the insurgents' attacks on foreign as well as Afghan forces.

Afghan officials often complain that insurgents organise and launch attacks from sanctuaries inside Pakistan.

Pakistan, a key ally in the US-led war on terrorism, acknowledges cross-border activities by the militants but urges foreign and Afghan forces in Afghanistan to also strengthen controls on their side of the long, porous border.

Last year was the deadliest Afghanistan has seen since the Taliban were ousted from power by the US-led forces in late 2001.

More than 4,000 people died in fighting last year, including about 1,000 civilians. Suicide bombings jumped to 139 from 21.

Fighting is expected to be heavy in 2007 as the Taliban have warned that they have thousands of suicide bombers ready for action.

NATO and Afghan troops last week launched their biggest operation so far to pre-empt Taliban's spring offensive.

REUTERS SB PM1404