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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Battle 'kills dozens of Taleban' | Battle 'kills dozens of Taleban' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| About 80 Taleban fighters have been killed in clashes with forces from the US-led coalition in Afghanistan's Helmand province, officials say. | About 80 Taleban fighters have been killed in clashes with forces from the US-led coalition in Afghanistan's Helmand province, officials say. |
| A six-hour battle took place near the Taleban-controlled town of Musa Qala, a coalition statement said. | A six-hour battle took place near the Taleban-controlled town of Musa Qala, a coalition statement said. |
| A joint coalition-Afghan patrol called in air strikes after it came under fire from rockets and gunfire, with bombs hitting a trench full of Taleban. | A joint coalition-Afghan patrol called in air strikes after it came under fire from rockets and gunfire, with bombs hitting a trench full of Taleban. |
| There has been no independent confirmation of the numbers killed. | |
| After coming under ambush, "the combined patrol immediately returned fire, manoeuvred, and employed close air support, resulting in almost seven dozen Taleban fighters killed during a six-hour engagement," the statement said. | After coming under ambush, "the combined patrol immediately returned fire, manoeuvred, and employed close air support, resulting in almost seven dozen Taleban fighters killed during a six-hour engagement," the statement said. |
| Opium centre | Opium centre |
| In September, international forces launched a major offensive in Helmand province to push out the Taleban. | In September, international forces launched a major offensive in Helmand province to push out the Taleban. |
| The coalition has claimed more than 200 militants have been killed in fighting around Musa Qala since then. | The coalition has claimed more than 200 militants have been killed in fighting around Musa Qala since then. |
| British troops left the town late last year following an agreement that handed over security to the town's elders. | British troops left the town late last year following an agreement that handed over security to the town's elders. |
| The Taleban took over the town in February. | The Taleban took over the town in February. |
| The area is the centre of Afghanistan's illegal opium poppy cultivation. | The area is the centre of Afghanistan's illegal opium poppy cultivation. |