Nine cops, four Taleban killed

Nine Afghan police and four Taleban guerrillas have been killed in a clash in a restive southern province, a government official said on Saturday.
Interior ministry spokesman Yousuf Stanezai said the fight took place on Friday afternoon in the Baghran district of Helmand. He gave no further details.
Qari Mohammad Yousuf, a spokesman for the Taleban, confirmed the incident, but said no militants were killed.
Helmand used to be part of the Taleban's main stronghold until US-led troops overthrew the government in 2001.