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Fighting Continues In Afghanistan's Helmand Province

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Afghan police operating a checkpoint in Helmand Province earlier this month

Afghan police operating a checkpoint in Helmand Province earlier this month
(epa)
March 23, 2007 -- Afghanistan's Defense Ministry says at least 69 Taliban fighters have been killed in a battle that started March 22 in the southern province of Helmand.

Defense Ministry spokesman General Zahir Azimi says seven Afghan government soldiers also were killed by fighting in three districts of Helmand -- Nadali, Gerishk, and Lashkar Gah.

Azimi said the battle was part of a ground offensive conducted solely by Afghan government troops -- the first such operation since training of the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police began in 2002.


Azimi said the government offensive, code-named Operation Norouz, will conclude later today. NATO-led forces are providing air support.


Thousands of NATO and Afghan troops have been engaged in combat for weeks against Taliban fighters in Helmand Province.


Kajaki hydroelectric damThey are trying to eliminate Taliban strongholds and hideouts in an area about 150 kilometers around the Kajaki hydroelectric dam.


(AP, AFP, dpa)


Copyright (c) 2007. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org

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