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Taliban and al-Qaida thumped in Gardez province
  • U.S. warplanes and helicopters opened a new offensive Saturday against Taliban and al-Qaida believed regrouping in Afghanistan's eastern mountains in an air assault backed by Afghan forces on the ground. Pakistan sealed its border to prevent escape by any al-Qaida fleeing the fight. U.S. military helicopters rushed late Saturday toward the snowy mountains where the battle was under way. "We have surrounded the al-Qaida and Taliban," said Saif Ullah, a member of the local governing council in Gardez.

    Six hundred Afghan fighters, moving with 60 American forces, were on the ground, said Saif Ullah and Wazir Khan Zadran, a local commander. Enemy forces were defending their high ground with mortars, killing one U.S.-allied Afghan fighter and injuring five. There was no word on Americans taking part in any ground fighting. However, a dozen U.S. military helicopters took off from a landing strip in Logar province south of Kabul late Saturday. They included at least one transport helicopter.
    Just a little reminder that we're not done yet. Not dealing with stragglers would be a good way to fight the same war five years later.
    FoxNews reports one US soldier dead in the attack, plus several wounded. Estimated enemy force strength is 4000.
    Posted by Fred 3/2/2002 4:13:41 PM

    Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2002-03-02
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    http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=2061