BBC NEWS | South Asia | 'Taleban drowned' in Afghan river

BBC NEWS | South Asia | 'Taleban drowned' in Afghan river: "A boat has sunk in a river in Afghanistan's volatile Helmand province, killing 60 people including some Taleban fighters, officials say.

The Taleban were seen boarding the boat after fleeing Afghan troops, a defence official told AFP news agency.

Afghan officials are trying to find out exactly how many Taleban fighters were among the 60 people drowned. It is not known why the boat sank.

Helmand has seen fierce battles between the Taleban and Nato and US-led troops.

The province is a major centre of poppy cultivation.

'We observed from the air that Taleban got on board the boat,' Defence Ministry spokesman Gen Mohammad Zahir told AFP. 'It sunk as it was crossing the river.'" Read complete post here.