News - Afghanistan

At least 13 insurgents were killed on Sunday after Nato was called in for air support during a joint operation in eastern Nangarhar province, officials said.

The firefight erupted yesterday after an unknown number of militants hidden in a school opened fire towards provincial government institutions in Khewa district in Bodyalia area.

After coming under attack, Afghan security forces along with international troops conducted an operation to kick militants out of the empty school and clear the area.

The operation lasted for hours and ended before the afternoon today.

The school building was heavily bombarded by Nato air strikes so that no enemy structure is left and the school was totally destroyed, provincial government spokesman Ahmad Zia Abdulzai said.

Two employee of the school was also among the dead in the incident, Mr Abdulzai said.

The school was empty as students were on summer holiday.

No casualties have been reported on the security forces side.