By KUNA,
Kabul : An Afghan soldier was killed in a landmine bomb explosion in southern Afghanistan Friday morning, while eight militants perished in clashes with security forces in southern and eastern zones.
The Afghan soldier was killed when he stepped on a landmine in Zherai district of Kandahar province.
He was on routine patrol in the district this morning, said commander Rahmatullah.
Separately, five Taliban were killed following a clash with Afghan police in Shinkay district of the neighbouring Zabul province.
The clash took place Thursday night, said local officials.
In the southeastern province of Khost, a police commander said his troops killed three militants after a brief clash early Friday morning.
General Mohammad Ayub said the militants were planting a bomb by the roadside.
Earlier, US troops announced the arrest of eight militants during an operation in Zadran district of the southeastern Paktia province last night.