Over 200 Taliban fighters killed by NATO in Afghanistan
Dated 3/9/2006
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A major Afghan-NATO offensive killed more than 200 militants in southern Afghanistan Sunday, the alliance said. Four Canadian soldiers were killed.
The casualty counts - which if confirmed represent one of the deadliest combat actions since US-led forces ousted the Taliban regime five years ago - could not be independently verified.
Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak said the Taliban casualties were high, but could not confirm the NATO report of more than 200 dead.
An Associated Press reporter who traveled to the Pashmul area of the district, saw warplanes drop five bombs within about 20 minutes on the orchards where Taliban fighters were believed to be hiding. The reporter was standing about 300 meters (yards) away.
Operation Medusa was launched Saturday to flush out Taliban fighters from Panjwayi and neighboring Zhari district. NATO spokesman Maj. Scott Lundy said the NATO and Afghan forces had gained ground and had disrupted the militants' command and control so their fighters were moving in a confused way.
The casualty counts
