Six soldiers and five policemen were reported wounded in several hours of fighting Tuesday, the same day that the new American commander of the military coalition in Afghanistan vowed a relentless pursuit of Taliban-led guerrillas.

The battle, the deadliest in nearly seven months, occurred in the Dehchopan district of Zabul province, about 205 miles southwest of the capital, Kabul, a military statement said. It said U.S. helicopters and warplanes joined the fight against an insurgent band estimated at around 25 fighters.

Zabul is in Afghan territory along the border with Pakistan where Taliban loyalists have stepped up their insurgency against the government of U.S.-backed President Hamid Karzai after a winter lull. Bombings and gunbattles have killed dozens of rebels and Afghan police and soldiers.

The U.S. statement said the American soldiers wounded Tuesday were in stable condition, and four would be flown to Germany. The other two returned to duty.