Some 20 Afghan militants were killed on Wednesday in heavy fighting with Dutch troops in southern Uruzgan province, a Dutch defence ministry spokesman told AFP. He said the fighting erupted after a combined patrol of Dutch, US and Afghan security forces hit a roadside bomb near the Dutch base in Tarin Kowt.
The bomb hit an Afghan army vehicle and two Afghan soldiers were killed. Militants then opened fire from all sides. "It was an ambush and very heavy fighting followed," defence ministry spokesman Nico van der Zee said.
Eight Afghan soldiers were wounded in the clashes. The Dutch and US forces suffered no casualties. According to initial estimates some 20 enemy fighters were killed. "It is important to note that at the time of the attack civilians were present in the area. This is very unusual and we think it might mean that not even the civilians were warned an attack would take place," Van der Zee said.