At least 23 Taliban rebels, including a local Taliban commander, have been killed in Afghanistan.

Flanked by coalition forces, Afghan soldiers attacked one of the Taliban's strongholds in the province of Uruzgan. Dutch troops are also stationed there as part of a NATO-led security mission.

In a neighbouring Pakistani region at least 17 people have been killed in US missile strikes. An unmanned drone aircraft dropped missiles in Shubi Khel, a remote area in the country's northwest, killing six militants. More missiles were fired later in the day killing at least 11 militants.

photo: ANP