[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

fyi

[Paradox]

The toll rose to 44 after troops found more bodies.

Destruction, American Style.

[G.Mason]

Kill the Muslims enemy bump!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

BBC Report:

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Last Updated: Thursday, 5 May, 2005, 16:28 GMT 17:28 UK

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Afghan fighting 'leaves 70 dead'

Seventy people have been killed over the last three days in two clashes in southern Afghanistan, the Afghan and US authorities say.

Fighting in Zabul province left 40 fighters from the Taleban and its allies dead together with one Afghan policemen, the US military says.

And nine Afghan soldiers and 20 insurgents were killed in a clash in Kandahar province, the US says.

They are some of the heaviest clashes since the fall of the Taleban.

'Stood and fought'

There has been no word from the Talaben on the fighting.

The US military has been giving more details of the fighting throughout Thursday.

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Afghanistan

The clash in Zabul province took place on Tuesday in the Deh Chopan district.

Those killed were a "mix of Taleban and anti-coalition militants", US spokesman Col James Yonts told the Associated Press news agency.

"These were well-trained, well-armed people... not just a rogue group," he said, "and they didn't flee, they stood and fought."

Initially the US said that 20 militants were killed.

But on Thursday Col James Yonts said the number of dead has risen to 40 - the highest from a single battle in nine months - after troops examining the battle scene found more bodies.

The Americans say that they used warplanes and helicopter gunships in support of their troops on the ground.

Six US servicemen and five Afghan policemen were also injured.

The clash began when gunmen fired on coalition forces investigating the beating of a local man, the US said.

Afghan Interior Minister Ali Ahmed Jalali said that the fighting started when militants attacked three local doctors and police tried to free them. He said that the trio were subsequently "freed safely".

'Ambush'

The clash in Kandahar province took place on Wednesday.

The US says that the clashes have been fierce

In the first account, an Afghan defence ministry spokesman said nine Afghan soldiers were killed in an ambush by militants near the town of Spin Ghar.

Correspondents say that marks the worst losses suffered so far by the country's US-trained army. Three soldiers were wounded in the attack.

Later a US military spokeswoman said that planes from the US-led coalition that were called to help the soldiers kill 20 of the attackers.

The US has about 18,000 troops mainly in the south and east of Afghanistan.

[bubman]

Good day for hunting!!

[US_MilitaryRules]

: )
: )
: )

[MD_Willington_1976]

64 Taliban-Led Rebels Killed in Fighting

That'll happen if you're too ignorant to figure out you will not win...

[M. Espinola]

The enemy continues losing and will not break their record.

[telebob]

Well that should take care of the 'Spring Offensive' for this year.

[Delta 21]

"They didn't flee, they stood and fought."

....and died!