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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Taleban killed in Afghan battles | Taleban killed in Afghan battles |
| (about 3 hours 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. . | 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. |
| Rape and kidnap | |
| Meanwhile, British former shadow home secretary David Davis has said the UK is facing disaster in Afghanistan unless it changes its strategy in the country. | |
| The senior Conservative has just returned from a visit to Helmand province. | |
| He told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "If we don't change our strategy I think we are facing a disaster in the longer run. | |
| "Firstly, the Afghans think we're losing. Whether we are or not, that's what they think. Secondly, we are effectively defending a government which is weak, corrupt and ineffective. Apart from its warlord allies, it doesn't extend a rifle shot beyond Kabul in terms of its power." | |
| Mr Davis said more than half of the Afghan national police were drug addicts, a significant number were corrupt, and the force was known for committing rape and kidnap. | |
| "All those things mean you've got a sort of banditry-in-uniform. The truth is we're not seen by the ordinary Afghans as the liberators that we really are," he said. |