KANDAHAR, August 13, SPA -- Afghan security forcesclashed with Taliban militants in southern Afghanistan,leaving nine militants dead, while a subsequent roadsideblast targeting a police vehicle killed five officers, anofficial said Monday. Afghan police and army soldiers battled militants Sundayin Kandahar province's Shohrawak district, said provincialpolice chief Sayed Agha Saqib. During a cleanup operation after the clash, a roadsidebomb hit a police vehicle in the same district, killingfive officers and wounding two others, Saqib was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/474645