35 Taliban Killed in Counter Offensive

After we clean up Arghandab province, we should make good on Karzai's remarks. AFP

In other news, four helicopter engines worth over $13 million have been missing since April 11th. A Pakistani trucking company was responsible for the shipment of the helicopter engines. Just another example of our friend and ally helping us out.

ARGHANDAB, Afghanistan (AFP) — Afghan and NATO troops backed by helicopter gunships killed 35 Taliban rebels Wednesday in a huge "clean-up" operation to drive out militants entrenched in villages near Kandahar.

Two Afghan soldiers also died in the offensive in southern Arghandab district, which was launched after a burst of insurgent activity including a mass rebel jailbreak in Kandahar that embarrassed President Hamid Karzai.

The operation began as the deaths of six NATO soldiers were announced elsewhere in Afghanistan. Four were British soldiers, reportedly including the country's first female casualty in the war-ravaged country.

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An Afghan defence ministry statement said a group of Taliban was targeted in a NATO air strike in Ta-been village in Arghandab, killing 20 "local and foreign terrorists" while three more were shot dead elsewhere in the district.

Another 12 militants were killed in neighbouring Maiwand district, another defence ministry statement said. Two soldiers were also killed in the operation, the ministry said.

NATO's Branco confirmed that military helicopters had "engaged" the rebels but said no fixed-wing aircraft had dropped bombs.

Two civilian ISAF workers were also wounded during the operation, NATO civilian spokesman Mark Laity said, without giving their nationalities.

Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi vowed fierce resistance.

"We will use Arghandab for specific attacks with mortars and cannons on targets in Kandahar city. We have also planned a suicide attack which will be carried out in Kandahar," he told AFP by telephone from an unknown location.