14 militants killed in southern Afghanistan

[unhappycamper]

14 militants killed in southern Afghanistan
By Noor Khan - The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Feb 22, 2009 9:51:57 EST

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — A battle just outside southern Afghanistan’s largest city has killed at least six Taliban fighters, while an airstrike against militants elsewhere in the south killed eight, officials said Sunday.

A battle in the Panjwayi district — 15 miles west of Kandahar city — began late Saturday after Taliban militants ambushed a police patrol, wounding two officers, said Abdullah Khan, the province’s deputy police chief.

NATO and Afghan forces responded, unleashing bombs that could be heard by residents in Kandahar city. Khan said at least six militants have been killed in the fighting, which continued into Sunday.

In neighboring Helmand province, an airstrike on a minivan killed eight militants late Saturday, said Daud Ahmadi, the governor’s spokesman. Ahmadi said an informant told the government that insurgents were riding in the vehicle and authorities told coalition military officials, which hit it with an airstrike.

Southern Afghanistan is the Taliban’s spiritual homeland and the most violent region in Afghanistan.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_afghanistan_022209/%2e



uhc comment: Does this remind anyone else of the Five O'Clock Follies?