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Nato to review Afghan challenge Nato to review Afghan challenge
(about 2 hours later)
Nato chiefs are due to meet to consider committing more troops to Afghanistan, where a British general has warned combat is "more intense" than in Iraq.Nato chiefs are due to meet to consider committing more troops to Afghanistan, where a British general has warned combat is "more intense" than in Iraq.
Generals from Nato member states will meet in Poland to assess a request for more soldiers, planes and helicopters.Generals from Nato member states will meet in Poland to assess a request for more soldiers, planes and helicopters.
Nato head Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has said some members are not doing enough.Nato head Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has said some members are not doing enough.
Facing fierce Taleban resistance and mounting casualties in southern Afghanistan, Nato has never confronted such bad news, our correspondent says.Facing fierce Taleban resistance and mounting casualties in southern Afghanistan, Nato has never confronted such bad news, our correspondent says.
He says the meeting in Warsaw will present commanders with an opportunity to re-assess their tactics in the Afghan campaign.He says the meeting in Warsaw will present commanders with an opportunity to re-assess their tactics in the Afghan campaign.
More than 20 Taleban fighters were killed in a major ongoing operation by Nato and Afghan soldiers in southern Afghanistan on Thursday, a Nato statement said.
Operation Medusa is the biggest military operation there since the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) took over the area from a US-led coalition at the end of July.
'Can do more''Can do more'
The commander of British forces in Afghanistan has said combat there is more intense than in Iraq. News of the latest violence came as the commander of British forces in Afghanistan said combat in south Afghanistan was more intense than in Iraq.
We are a little bit surprised at the level of intensity, and that the opposition in some areas are not relying on traditional hit-and-run tactics Gen James Jones Send us your comments Quick guide: AfghanistanWe are a little bit surprised at the level of intensity, and that the opposition in some areas are not relying on traditional hit-and-run tactics Gen James Jones Send us your comments Quick guide: Afghanistan
Brigadier Ed Butler said his troops were being attacked up to a dozen times a day but their morale remained high.Brigadier Ed Butler said his troops were being attacked up to a dozen times a day but their morale remained high.
"The intensity and ferocity of the fighting is far greater than in Iraq on a daily basis," Brig Butler told ITV News."The intensity and ferocity of the fighting is far greater than in Iraq on a daily basis," Brig Butler told ITV News.
He said British forces had been involved in "fighting that is up close and personal" that at times included hand-to-hand combat.He said British forces had been involved in "fighting that is up close and personal" that at times included hand-to-hand combat.
Nato's top commander, Gen James Jones, on Thursday said the alliance had been taken aback by the scale of violence in the region.Nato's top commander, Gen James Jones, on Thursday said the alliance had been taken aback by the scale of violence in the region.
But he predicted that the coming weeks would be decisive in the fight against the insurgents.But he predicted that the coming weeks would be decisive in the fight against the insurgents.
Commanders on the ground had asked for several hundred additional troops and more helicopters and airlift, he said.Commanders on the ground had asked for several hundred additional troops and more helicopters and airlift, he said.
Canadian losses mount Who are the militants? Nato mission under pressureCanadian losses mount Who are the militants? Nato mission under pressure
"We are talking about modest reinforcements," he told reporters at Nato European headquarters in Belgium."We are talking about modest reinforcements," he told reporters at Nato European headquarters in Belgium.
His comments were echoed by Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.His comments were echoed by Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.
"Those allies who perhaps are doing less in Afghanistan should think: 'Shouldn't we do more?' There are certainly a number of allies who can do more," he told reporters in Brussels."Those allies who perhaps are doing less in Afghanistan should think: 'Shouldn't we do more?' There are certainly a number of allies who can do more," he told reporters in Brussels.
Several Nato soldiers, most of them British or Canadian, have been killed in fierce fighting with Taleban guerrillas since the alliance extended its peacekeeping mission in the south a month ago.Several Nato soldiers, most of them British or Canadian, have been killed in fierce fighting with Taleban guerrillas since the alliance extended its peacekeeping mission in the south a month ago.
Nato troops took over leadership of military operations in the region from the US in July.Nato troops took over leadership of military operations in the region from the US in July.
Urgently neededUrgently needed
BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says the general's comments are a blunt recognition that Nato commanders do not have the resources they need.BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says the general's comments are a blunt recognition that Nato commanders do not have the resources they need.
Many analysts believe there were serious shortcomings in the intelligence assessments that established the initial mission, and that harder fighting was to be expected.Many analysts believe there were serious shortcomings in the intelligence assessments that established the initial mission, and that harder fighting was to be expected.
What is urgently needed, our correspondent says, is a battle group of several hundred men with reconnaissance and support elements which would give commanders the flexibility they say they need.What is urgently needed, our correspondent says, is a battle group of several hundred men with reconnaissance and support elements which would give commanders the flexibility they say they need.
But even if this reinforcement is forthcoming, many analysts are still sceptical that Nato can achieve its wider goals in Afghanistan, our correspondent adds.But even if this reinforcement is forthcoming, many analysts are still sceptical that Nato can achieve its wider goals in Afghanistan, our correspondent adds.
'No interference''No interference'
The Taleban ruled Afghanistan until late 2001 when they were toppled by US-led forces in the wake of the 11 September attacks on New York and Washington.The Taleban ruled Afghanistan until late 2001 when they were toppled by US-led forces in the wake of the 11 September attacks on New York and Washington.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday acknowledged that al-Qaeda and Taleban militants continue to cross from Pakistan into Afghanistan to launch attacks.Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday acknowledged that al-Qaeda and Taleban militants continue to cross from Pakistan into Afghanistan to launch attacks.
But the president, wrapping up a two-day visit to Afghanistan, denied allegations that Pakistan's powerful military Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was helping them.But the president, wrapping up a two-day visit to Afghanistan, denied allegations that Pakistan's powerful military Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was helping them.
"Let me say neither the government of Pakistan nor the ISI is involved in any kind of interference inside Afghanistan," he told Afghan government and army officials."Let me say neither the government of Pakistan nor the ISI is involved in any kind of interference inside Afghanistan," he told Afghan government and army officials.