KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, AP – Afghan security forces backed by coalition helicopters attacked a suspected Taliban hideout in southern Afghanistan, setting off an intense gunbattle that killed 41 rebels, a provincial governor said Saturday.

Six Afghan police officers also died in Friday’s fighting in Sangisar, a town 25 miles southwest of Kandahar, said Asadullah Khalid, the provincial governor.

“Acting on intelligence reports that Taliban have gathered in Sangisar to plan an attack in Kandahar, we launched this operation Friday and the fighting continued from morning to evening,” he said.

Taliban forces have threatened to step up attacks against coalition and Afghan soldiers during the warmer spring and summer months. Coalition forces have been particularly disturbed by an increase in suicide attacks.