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| Troops kill 'scores of Taleban' | Troops kill 'scores of Taleban' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Nato-led forces and Afghan troops have killed scores of Taleban fighters in the western province of Herat, a coalition statement says. | Nato-led forces and Afghan troops have killed scores of Taleban fighters in the western province of Herat, a coalition statement says. |
| It said 87 had been killed in a 14-hour battle on Sunday - 49 died two days earlier, including a US soldier. | It said 87 had been killed in a 14-hour battle on Sunday - 49 died two days earlier, including a US soldier. |
| There is no confirmation from the Taleban on the losses, which would be their heaviest blow this year. | There is no confirmation from the Taleban on the losses, which would be their heaviest blow this year. |
| One local police chief denied that Afghan forces had been involved, as protests against the US flared. | |
| Herat is near the border with Iran and officials say the area has been relatively quiet until recently. | Herat is near the border with Iran and officials say the area has been relatively quiet until recently. |
| But across the country, bloodshed has returned to levels not seen since the fall of the Taleban regime in 2001. | But across the country, bloodshed has returned to levels not seen since the fall of the Taleban regime in 2001. |
| Some 4,000 people are believed to have died last year in the insurgency - about a quarter of them civilians. | Some 4,000 people are believed to have died last year in the insurgency - about a quarter of them civilians. |
| About 30,000 coalition troops have been battling to reduce violence and boost the authority of President Hamid Karzai. | About 30,000 coalition troops have been battling to reduce violence and boost the authority of President Hamid Karzai. |
| 'No match' | 'No match' |
| The coalition statement said US special forces accompanied by police and other coalition members had been patrolling in Zerkoh valley in Shindand district when they attacked Taleban positions with mortar, small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. | The coalition statement said US special forces accompanied by police and other coalition members had been patrolling in Zerkoh valley in Shindand district when they attacked Taleban positions with mortar, small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. |
| The troops called in air support which dropped "multiple munitions on several identified enemy locations". | The troops called in air support which dropped "multiple munitions on several identified enemy locations". |
| "A total of seven enemy positions were destroyed, and 87 Taleban fighters were killed during the 14-hour engagement," the statement said. | "A total of seven enemy positions were destroyed, and 87 Taleban fighters were killed during the 14-hour engagement," the statement said. |
| "Taleban fighters are no match for ANP [Afghan National Police] and coalition forces," coalition spokesman Army Major Chris Belcher said. | "Taleban fighters are no match for ANP [Afghan National Police] and coalition forces," coalition spokesman Army Major Chris Belcher said. |
| But the Associated Press news agency quoted Shindand district police chief Gen. Gul Aqa denying that Afghan police and army had been involved. | But the Associated Press news agency quoted Shindand district police chief Gen. Gul Aqa denying that Afghan police and army had been involved. |
| "The Americans carried out an independent operation in the Zerkoh," he said. | "The Americans carried out an independent operation in the Zerkoh," he said. |
| He spoke as local people gathered in front of the police station and government headquarters in Shindand district chanting "Death to America!". | He spoke as local people gathered in front of the police station and government headquarters in Shindand district chanting "Death to America!". |
| 'Considerable resistance' | 'Considerable resistance' |
| In southern Afghanistan, UK forces have launched a major military offensive against the Taleban. | In southern Afghanistan, UK forces have launched a major military offensive against the Taleban. |
| Up to 3,000 Nato troops, including Afghans and US forces, are involved in the British-led Operation Silicon in the Sangin Valley, Helmand province. | Up to 3,000 Nato troops, including Afghans and US forces, are involved in the British-led Operation Silicon in the Sangin Valley, Helmand province. |
| The BBC's Alastair Leithead said the area was a Taleban stronghold and as troops moved forward, they were facing "considerable resistance". | The BBC's Alastair Leithead said the area was a Taleban stronghold and as troops moved forward, they were facing "considerable resistance". |
| The operation aims to drive Taleban fighters from the opium-producing area. | The operation aims to drive Taleban fighters from the opium-producing area. |