Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com). Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it exclusively produces is in the public domain. Afghanistan Reports 40 Rebels Killed in Latest Fighting ------------------------------------------------------- http://enews.voanews.com/t?r=279&ctl=14178A1:A6F02AD83191E160A35662F9DC968AEB9574F7DCC14957C0 No NATO or Afghan government casualties reported in the clashes Admiral Edmund P. Giambastiani, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, (C) visits Afghan National Army soldiers in Jalalabad (File photo - September 16, 2006)  Afghanistan's Defense Ministry says 40 insurgents have been killed during the latest fighting with Afghan and NATO-led forces in southern Afghanistan. The ministry says a NATO air strike and joint ground operation destroyed a rebel base in the Girishk district of Helmand province on Saturday. The NATO alliance says its forces killed 23 insurgents during earlier fighting in Helmand. It said helicopter strikes killed 15 militants Friday and eight on Thursday. There no NATO or Afghan government casualties reported in the clashes. Afghan government and foreign security forces are trying to uproot the Taleban, which has stepped up its insurgency this year. Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters. .