22 militants killed in two Afghan clashes (AP) Updated: 2005-12-07 21:06
Twenty-two suspected militants were killed in two clashes with Afghan and
U.S.-led coalition forces this week, including 13 in an attack on a cell that
was believed responsible for several bombings in southern Afghanistan, the U.S.
military said.
Three Afghan, three U.S. and two other coalition soldiers were wounded in
fighting Sunday in a small village north of Kandahar, a former Taliban
stronghold, where the bombing cell was operating, a U.S. military statement
said.
One of the soldiers was seriously wounded and was evacuated to Germany, where
he is in stable condition. The other seven soldiers have been treated and
released, the statement said.
On Tuesday, a joint Afghan-U.S. patrol was conducting offensive operations
when it reported coming under fire from a nearby ridge line northwest of Tarin
Kowt. Air support was called in and Afghan and U.S. forces then maneuvered on
the ridge line, forcing the militants to flee, the U.S. military said in a
separate statement.
Nine militants were killed and six detained, it said.
"Afghan and coalition forces are going to continue to bring the fight to the
enemies of Afghanistan no matter where they are, no matter where they are trying
to hide," said Brig. Gen. Jack Sterling Jr., the coalition's deputy commanding
general.
|