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'Nato dead' in Afghan operation 'Canadians die' in Afghan drive
(20 minutes later)
A Nato-led operation near Kandahar in south Afghanistan has left a number of coalition troops and dozens of insurgents dead, Afghan officials say. A Nato-led operation near Kandahar in south Afghanistan has left three Canadian soldiers and dozens of insurgents dead, Afghan officials say.
Around 2,000 Nato and Afghan soldiers are involved in Operation Medusa, Nato said, although it would give no further details on coalition casualties. About 2,000 Nato and Afghan soldiers are involved in Operation Medusa. Nato confirms there are coalition casualties but has given no further details.
The operation is the same one that saw a UK reconnaissance plane crash, killing all 14 people on board.The operation is the same one that saw a UK reconnaissance plane crash, killing all 14 people on board.
Afghanistan is witnessing its bloodiest period since the Taleban fell in 2001.Afghanistan is witnessing its bloodiest period since the Taleban fell in 2001.
Southern clashesSouthern clashes
Operation Medusa is the biggest military operation in southern Afghanistan since the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) took over the area from a US-led coalition at the end of July.Operation Medusa is the biggest military operation in southern Afghanistan since the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) took over the area from a US-led coalition at the end of July.
It is concentrated on the Panjwayi area, about 35km (20 miles) west of Kandahar city, which has seen months of fighting.It is concentrated on the Panjwayi area, about 35km (20 miles) west of Kandahar city, which has seen months of fighting.
An Afghan defence ministry spokesman, Zahir Azimi, said three Canadian soldiers had been killed and six wounded, but there is no confirmation from Nato or Canadian authorities. An Afghan defence ministry spokesman, Zahir Azimi, said three Canadian soldiers had been killed and six wounded, but there is no confirmation from Isaf or Canadian authorities.
Isaf would only say there had been several Nato casualties.
Mr Azimi said coalition forces had launched 40 artillery and air strikes.Mr Azimi said coalition forces had launched 40 artillery and air strikes.
Nato spokesman Maj Scott Lundy said the coalition forces had gained ground and disrupted the Taleban command and control.Nato spokesman Maj Scott Lundy said the coalition forces had gained ground and disrupted the Taleban command and control.
The operation had "special emphasis on driving out the insurgents so Afghans in Panjwayi district can return to their homes and orchards that sustained their livelihoods," a coalition spokesman said.The operation had "special emphasis on driving out the insurgents so Afghans in Panjwayi district can return to their homes and orchards that sustained their livelihoods," a coalition spokesman said.
In the crash of the Nimrod MR2 aircraft, British authorities said they believed a technical fault was to blame.In the crash of the Nimrod MR2 aircraft, British authorities said they believed a technical fault was to blame.
Both they and Nato rejected Taleban claims to have shot down the aircraft.Both they and Nato rejected Taleban claims to have shot down the aircraft.
Nato forces are guarding the crash site as the bodies of the dead are recovered and an investigation gets underway.Nato forces are guarding the crash site as the bodies of the dead are recovered and an investigation gets underway.
Much of the fighting between the Taleban and coalition forces in recent months has been concentrated in the south.Much of the fighting between the Taleban and coalition forces in recent months has been concentrated in the south.