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2 British Soldiers killed in Afghanistan, Major U.S offensive planned against Taliban
 TWO British soldiers were killed in fighting today in southern Afghanistan, where US-led forces are mounting their biggest offensive against Taliban militia since 2002. A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman in London said they were killed in action in the Sangin valley of Helmand province, in the southwest of the country, in the early hours of the morning. "Two members of the UK armed forces have been killed in action in Afghanistan," she said. "The next of kin are being informed but there are no further details." The deaths are the second and third British military fatalities since UK forces were deployed to the volatile area of Helmand in recent months.  A spokesman for the Taliban said its fighters had killed a large number of foreign and Afghan troops in Helmand and destroyed three trucks carrying supplies for foreign forces. The spokesman, Qari Mohammad Yousuf, said the fighting went on for four hours. Residents in the area reported heavy fighting including airstrikes by foreign forces. Helmand police chief Nabi Mullahkhail said 13 Taliban had been killed in the fighting early today. He said no Afghan troops were killed. Posted by: Oztralian 2006-06-27 |
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