The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Kandahar

At least 35 people, including 17 civilians and a NATO-led soldier, were killed Tuesday in the latest violence to hit insurgency-hit Afghanistan, officials said.

In a single incident, 17 civilian roadworkers were killed and almost as many others were injured when Taliban rebels attacked them in the southern province of Zabul, the country's interior ministry said.

"The enemies attacked civilian roadworkers in Zabul this morning. Seventeen civilian roadworkers were martyred and 16 others were injured," ministry spokesman Zemarai Bashary told AFP. In a subsequent counter-attack by Afghan and foreign security forces, seven militants were killed and a dozen more were wounded, the spokesman said, adding that six vehicles belonging to the roadworkers were also destroyed. "After the incident, the (Afghan) national army, police and international forces went to the area and chased the enemies away, killing seven enemies and wounding 12 others," Bashary said.