The US-led coalition forces killed 20 suspected Taliban-linked
militants in the troubled Helmand Province on Sunday, a press
release of the US army released in Kabul said on Monday.
"Twenty extremists were killed after attacking a Coalition
patrol with small arms and mortar fire in the Sangin District of
Helmand Province on July 2," the press release added.
Two coalition soldiers were also wounded in the exchange of
fire.
"Two Coalition soldiers were wounded and transported to a
Coalition medical facility for treatment. They are in stable
condition," it added.
Taliban militants have yet to make any comment on the claim.
The incident occurred amid the increasing militancy in the
southern region where a huge anti-Taliban operation the Mountain
Thrust is going on to wipe out militants and strengthen central
government's control in the area.
A US army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter was crashed in the
neighboring Kandahar province at 8:30 p.m. Sunday night killing one
crewman and wounding another.
Two British soldiers were killed in militants' attack in Sangin
district of Helmand province on Saturday.
However, the US-led military is firm to continue support Afghan
government as long as the situation requires, the press release
stressed.
Taliban-led insurgency has claimed the lives of more than 900
people including over 40 foreign soldiers since beginning this
year.
(Xinhua News Agency July 3, 2006)
