 US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan say they have killed at least 65 Taleban terrorists militants in recent offensives in the south. Coalition and Afghan forces attacked a large group of terrorists militants and fought a three-hour battle in Zharie district in Kandahar province on Friday.
Troops fought a five-hour battle on the same day with Taleban terrorists fighters in neighbouring Uruzgan province. A statement released by US-led coalition forces and the Afghan National Army said that in the fighting in Zharie district several terrorists militants ran away fled to nearby villages and took civilians with them as human shields.
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It said that around 40 terrorists insurgents were killed in the fighting in Uruzgan province after troops exchanged fire for more than five hours with terrorists extremists hiding in an orchard north-east of Tirin Kot, the Uruzgan capital.
The Afghan army commander for the south, Gen Rahmatullah Raufi, confirmed to AFP news agency that a battle had taken place in the area. He said about 20 Taleban terrorists members were killed and 18 wounded. The general said three coalition soldiers were hurt in the clash. Rifles, machine guns and five rocket-launchers were seized.
Last week, coalition forces announced a major offensive, codenamed "Operation Mountain Thrust", against Taleban positions in the south. Military officials say the operation has seen significant attacks on Taleban hideouts. "The Afghan National Army and coalition forces continue to demonstrate how well they work together to defeat our common enemies," coalition spokesman Lt Col Paul Fitzpatrick said. "Afghan and coalition forces will continue to place heavy pressure on Taleban terrorists insurgents hiding in southern Afghanistan in support of Operation Mountain Thrust." |