An attack by Taliban insurgents on a combat outpost in the Panjwaii district of southern Afghanistan wounded two Canadian soldiers Saturday, military officials said.

The insurgents opened fire with guns and rocket-propelled grenades, according to Col. Jamie Cade, the deputy commander of Canada's Forces in Afghanistan.

He said the soldiers, whose names were not released, were struck by shrapnel from the grenades.

One of the soldiers remains in serious but stable condition. The other has been released from medical care.

The Panjwaii district, about 30 kilometres west of the city of Kandahar, has been the scene of intermittent fighting between Taliban fighters and Canadian troops since the spring of 2006.

Cade said Saturday's attack followed standard practice for the Taliban and didn't constitute an escalation in violence.

"It's pretty much a standard tactic that we've been encountering," he said. "It's not something we would consider worrisome. It's something we've dealt with many times before and will continue to deal with."

Cade declined to reveal the number of Taliban troops involved.

With files from the Canadian Press