KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, April 09, SPA -- Clashes and an air strike in southern Afghanistan killed seven Taliban fighters and aPolice officer, officials said Wednesday. Taliban militants ambushed a police patrol in MarjaDistrict of the southern Helmand province late Tuesday, andan ensuing battle left four militants and a police officerdead, said Helmand's police chief, Mohammad HusseinAndiwal. Authorities recovered the militants' bodies and theirweapons, he said. Two other officers were wounded and apolice vehicle was damaged. An airstrike against two motorbikes carrying Talibanmilitants through Zabul province killed three militants andwounded two, said provincial deputy governor Gulab ShahAlikheil. A woman and a child traveling nearby were alsowounded, the Associated Press reported.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/544535