OTTAWA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Two Canadian soldiers were killed in southern Afghanistan on Saturday after militants ambushed them with rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire, Canada's Department of National Defense confirmed.

    Two soldiers were also wounded Saturday afternoon (Afghanistan time) in the battle in Kandahar province, the defense department said in a press release, adding that their injuries are not considered life-threatening.

    Other Canadian units quickly responded to the attack and became involved in a three-hour battle with insurgents. International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) helicopters were also called in to engage the attackers.

    The deaths of the soldiers brings the number of Canadian military fatalities in Afghanistan to 42 since 2002. Canada has more than 2,000 troops in the Kandahar area who are working with NATO to fight Taliban forces. Enditem