This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7665733.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Taleban killed in Afghan battles | Taleban killed in Afghan battles |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Dozens of Taleban militants have been killed by security forces in fighting in southern Afghanistan, according to Afghan and British officials. | Dozens of Taleban militants have been killed by security forces in fighting in southern Afghanistan, according to Afghan and British officials. |
| The militants died in a battle with Afghan and Nato-led forces on the outskirts of Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province. | The militants died in a battle with Afghan and Nato-led forces on the outskirts of Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province. |
| A spokesman for Helmand's governor said the militants were trying to attack the city when security forces hit back. | A spokesman for Helmand's governor said the militants were trying to attack the city when security forces hit back. |
| There were conflicting claims about the extent of the Taleban losses. | There were conflicting claims about the extent of the Taleban losses. |
| Afghan officials said 130 Taleban had been killed, but a spokesman for the British army told the BBC the number was closer to 50. | Afghan officials said 130 Taleban had been killed, but a spokesman for the British army told the BBC the number was closer to 50. |
| Three sides | Three sides |
| Daud Ahmadi, spokesman for Helmand's governor, told the Associated Press news agency that the Taleban attacked the city from three sides, using rockets and other heavy weapons. | Daud Ahmadi, spokesman for Helmand's governor, told the Associated Press news agency that the Taleban attacked the city from three sides, using rockets and other heavy weapons. |
| But they were pushed back by the security forces, he said, adding that there were no casualties among Afghan or Nato troops. . | |
| The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed that they attacked the insurgents, who were seen gathering on the outskirts of the city, prior to launching a mortar attack. | The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed that they attacked the insurgents, who were seen gathering on the outskirts of the city, prior to launching a mortar attack. |
| "During this counter-attack, ISAF forces successfully conducted an air strike in which multiple enemy forces were killed," a ISAF statement said. | "During this counter-attack, ISAF forces successfully conducted an air strike in which multiple enemy forces were killed," a ISAF statement said. |
| Elsewhere in Helmand, Mr Ahmadi said another dozens of militants had been killed in a three-day battle which ended on Saturday, after foreign and Afghan forces retook the centre of Nad Ali district, which had been held by Taleban fighters. | Elsewhere in Helmand, Mr Ahmadi said another dozens of militants had been killed in a three-day battle which ended on Saturday, after foreign and Afghan forces retook the centre of Nad Ali district, which had been held by Taleban fighters. |