22 June 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Warfare is intensifying today in Afghanistan between Taliban guerrillas and Afghan and U.S. units.
U.S. military and Afghan authorities say that their troops, backed by warplanes, killed at least 46 Taliban guerrillas in southwestern Afghanistan in some of the bloodiest fighting in months. They say that five members of the Afghan security forces also died in the battles and that five U.S. soldiers were wounded.
They said today that the clashes are part of a search and attack operation, codenamed Catania, to destroy guerrilla sanctuaries.
Battle continues in Mian Nishin, a district capital 400 kilometers southwest of Kabul, that was overrun by guerrillas last week and retaken by government forces on 22 June. Afghan General Salim Khan said that the Taliban fightrs killed today were from the group that was dislodged from Mian Nishin.
(Reuters)
They said today that the clashes are part of a search and attack operation, codenamed Catania, to destroy guerrilla sanctuaries.
Battle continues in Mian Nishin, a district capital 400 kilometers southwest of Kabul, that was overrun by guerrillas last week and retaken by government forces on 22 June. Afghan General Salim Khan said that the Taliban fightrs killed today were from the group that was dislodged from Mian Nishin.
(Reuters)