Clashes kill 35 Taliban in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan, May 28 (UPI) -- Clashes between coalition troops and Taliban rebels in Afghanistan's Paktika province killed nearly three dozen militants, the local government said Thursday.

Ground and air forces struck Taliban hideouts in a village in the eastern province, killing 35 rebels, China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

"U.S.-led coalition forces pounded Taliban hideouts in Walmama district Wednesday night leaving 35 militants dead," provincial administration spokesman Hamidullah Zhwak said.

In Kunar province Wednesday, two civilians were killed in a missile attack, the Afghan Interior Ministry said in a statement.

"Three rockets hit the provincial capital, Asadabad city ... killing two and wounding seven others," the statement said.

The statement said some missiles landed in a residential area in Asadabad not far from the governor's office.