80 suspected Taleban killed in attack by Afghan forces

BRITISH troops supported Afghan forces during a three-day offensive in which 80 suspected Taleban fighters were killed in Helmand province, a military spokesman said yesterday.

More than 500 members of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) attacked a heavy concentration of militants in the area of Babaji, north of the provincial capital Lashkar Gah.

Supported by UK and other international troops, the operation was reported to be the biggest offensive aimed at clearing a district to allow reconstruction work to begin in the province.

Fighting began on Thursday, with a reported 70 militants killed on the first day. There were a "small number" of ANSF casualties, according to official UK sources.

British troops provided air, medical and logistic support during the advance.

Lieutenant-Colonel Rory Bruce, spokesman for the UK Task Force, said: "This is the largest pre-planned operation undertaken by the ANSF so far and it marks another significant step towards Afghans being able to provide security for themselves.

"This operation has been a great success and has exceeded our expectations."

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