(Xinhua) -- Afghanistan National Army (ANA) clashed with Taliban militants on Thursday in southern Afghan province of Zabul, leaving 70 militants dead, according to a statement of the Interior Ministry. "The Taliban rebels ambushed convoy of ANA on the Kabul-Kandahar highway in the Shah joy district of Zabul province," the statement said, "after hours' fierce fighting ANA foiled the attack killing 70 enemies, arresting four others and a large number of weapons. Some dead bodies of foreign fighters were also found in the battle field." Earlier, Zahir Azimi, spokesman of Defense Ministry, told Xinhua ANA killed 34 Taliban insurgents in the highway clash. Jailani Khan, the provincial deputy police chief also confirmed the clashes between ANA and Taliban fighters and put the number of Taliban casualties as 37, adding the highway is now secured and re-opened.
Meanwhile, Qari Yusuf Ahmadi, the purported Taliban spokesman told Xinhua via phone from an unknown hideout that the outfit ambushed ANA convoy, successfully destroying two army's vehicles and killing over 12 Afghan troops.