Over 100 "insurgents" killed in Afghan battle US

KABUL, Aug 29 (Reuters) More than 100 suspected insurgents were killed in a battle with US-led troops in southern Afghanistan, the US military said today.

The battle erupted after a convoy of Afghan and US-led forces came under attack in Shah Wali Kot district in Kandahar province, it said in a statement.

US-led close air support pounded insurgent positions in the battle, it added.

''Afghan National Security Forces, advised by coalition forces, engaged and eliminated more than 100 insurgent fighters in a battle that started this morning and is still continuing in northern Kandahar province,'' the statement said.

There were no civilian casualties from the battle. But one Afghan security member was killed and three US-led troops and three Afghan soldiers were wounded, it added.

REUTERS SZ RK0900