Kabul, May 2, SPA -- The death toll from a fiercebattle against militants by U.S. and Afghan forces insoutheastern Afghanistan doubled to 40 on Thursday aftertroops found more bodies at the scene of clash, one of thedeadliest since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. Meanwhile, the government said nine of its soldiers diedin an ambush, the worst loss yet for the country's newU.S.-trained army. Three more troops were injured in the attack Wednesdaynear Spin Ghar in Kandahar province, Defense Ministryspokesman Gen. Mohammed Zahir Azimi told The AssociatedPress. He had no further details.--SPA1303 Local Time 1003 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/260118