A district governor is among 25 people killed after a fierce battle between Afghan troops and Taleban fighters in Afghanistan, officials say. Abdul Qoudoas, the district chief of Musa Qala, was killed by Taleban fighters fleeing after a 12-hour battle in the neighbouring Sangeen district. Helmand\'s deputy governor told the BBC that at one point, he and 100 soldiers were surrounded by 200 Taleban. It is the most serious fighting between the two sides for two years. Five police officers and some 20 Taleban fighters are said to have been killed in the fighting in Helmand province. Taleban spokesman Qari Mohammad Yousuf denied reports of Taleban deaths, saying only two fighters had been wounded. Mirwais Afghan of the BBC Pashto service, who has been to the area, says most of the villagers have fled. \"The actual fighting is over in Sangeen but a search operation is ongoing,\" Afghan interior ministry spokesman, Yousuf Stanizai, is quoted as saying by AFP. \"The area has been sealed off.\" An estimated 600 Afghan government troops along with 200 policemen have been rushed to the area, the deputy governor of Helmand province, Haji Mullah Mir, told the BBC. American soldiers are also present, he said. (BBC)