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Fighting rages for Taleban town Soldiers 'seize Taleban leaders'
(about 6 hours later)
Taleban fighters in Afghanistan have pulled back to take up new positions defending the town of Musa Qala, in southern Helmand province. Two senior Taleban leaders have been captured in heavy fighting for the southern town of Musa Qala, the Afghan defence ministry has said.
A fierce battle has been raging around the town as Nato troops and Afghan army forces fight to retake the town. Afghan and Nato forces are trying to recapture the town, the only major centre in Taleban hands.
One British soldier was killed during the operation early on Saturday, the UK Ministry of Defence has said. Earlier, the Taleban said they had pulled back to the centre of the town in order to avoid civilian casualties.
Twelve insurgents and two children have died so far in the assault, the Afghan defence ministry says. Twelve Taleban fighters, two children and one British soldier are reported to have been killed so far in the battle.
Minefields A statement from the Afghan defence ministry identified the two Taleban leaders as Mullah Mateen Akhond and Mullah Rahim Akhond.
A defence ministry spokesman said the battle was going well so far.
"The reports which we have received from the site so far indicate that most of the enemy personnel have laid down their weapons and are leaving the area in civilian clothes," said the spokesman, Gen Mohammad Zahir Azimi.
The Defence Ministry's claims could not be independently confirmed.
Heavy bombardments
The joint force of Afghan, British and US troops is reported to have Musa Qala surrounded from all sides and is edging closer to the town itself.
The assault was launched late on Friday and there have been fierce fire fights and heavy bombardments since then.
Afghan troops are playing a key part in the operationExchanges of gunfire on Sunday morning were later reported to have died down.
A British military spokesman said Nato forces were helping to pave the way for Afghan troops to seize and hold the town.
"Once the door is kicked in, the Afghan army will enter," said Lt Col Richard Eaton.
The Afghan defence ministry called on the Taleban fighters to lay down their weapons "or face waves of attacks".
'Iconic town'
The Taleban have held the town since February, when they retook it after British troops pulled out last year.The Taleban have held the town since February, when they retook it after British troops pulled out last year.
It is the only major town held by the Taleban and is at the centre of a major opium poppy growing area.It is the only major town held by the Taleban and is at the centre of a major opium poppy growing area.
Afghan troops are playing a key part in the operationUS troops began moving against Musa Qala late Friday, dropped by helicopter to positions south of the town. The heavy blows from the ground and the air seem to have forced the Taleban to pull back closer to the centre of Musa Qala, but they say they withdrew from two frontline villages because of civilian casualties there.
British and Afghan ground forces have taken up positions south, west and east of the town and exchanged intense gunfire on Saturday with Taleban fighters dug in behind minefields. Nonetheless, Taleban commanders have said they will defend the town from fortified positions covered by minefields.
The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed "with deep regret" that a soldier serving with the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment was killed in the operation. Musa Qala is believed to be mostly empty of civilians, many of whom fled after tribal elders were told of the attack and warning leaflets were dropped from the air, says the BBC's David Loyn in Kabul.
Heavy bombing of Taleban positions continued through Saturday night and there have been more intense fire fights through Sunday morning.
The British commander of the operation is content with the way the battle is developing, a spokesman said.
'Iconic' town
The heavy blows from the ground and the air seem to have forced the Taleban to pull back closer to the centre of Musa Qala, but they say they pulled back from two frontline villages because of civilian casualties there.
Musa Qala is believed to be mostly empty of civilians, many of whom fled after tribal elders were told of the attack and warning leaflets were dropped from the air.
UK Defence Minister Des Browne, who is in Kabul, said the town had taken on iconic importance.UK Defence Minister Des Browne, who is in Kabul, said the town had taken on iconic importance.
The Taleban took it over in February, in contravention of a controversial deal brokered with tribal elders when British troops withdrew.The Taleban took it over in February, in contravention of a controversial deal brokered with tribal elders when British troops withdrew.
It has since become the main centre of drugs trading in Afghanistan. It has since become the main centre of drugs trading in Afghanistan, our correspondent says.
The assault is the first major operation where the new Afghan army is playing a leading role.The assault is the first major operation where the new Afghan army is playing a leading role.
Mr Browne said Afghan forces would lead the re-taking of the town, and would also take the lead in holding it afterwards.
The Afghan government recognises that it will have to offer the people of Musa Qala something better than it did before, says the BBC's David Loyn in Kabul.
Our correspondent says many of the Taleban fighters are expected to retreat when they believe the final assault is under way, but some, especially foreign fighters, may fight on and seek martyrdom.