Two senior Taliban captured
A major offensive involving ground troops has been launched to retake the town of Musa Qala
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Sunday, 09, Dec 2007 07:19
The Afghan defence ministry has said that two Taliban commanders have been captured as coalition forces continue operations in southern Afghanistan.
The Reuters news agency cites a statement from the ministry as saying that the Islamist group's governor for the province of Helmand, Mullah Rahim Akhond, and the district governor of Musa Qala, Mullah Mateen Akhond, have been captured by coalition forces.
It added that 12 insurgents had been killed while two children lost their lives in the offensive, according to the release seen by the news provider.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the death of a British soldier from the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment on Saturday. It stated that he had died during operations in southern Afghanistan and added that his next of kin have been informed.
British forces withdrew from the town of Musa Qala last year after reaching a deal with tribal elders on ensuring stability in the area. The Taliban takeover has resulted in the offensive to retake the area in the Helmand province from the Islamist group.
The area has been controlled by the Taliban since February and has become a major drug trafficking centre.
In addition to air strikes, helicopters are also being used to drop soldiers into the area. Yesterday military officials and civilians reported several Taliban casualties in the area.
The group has been fighting the coalition presence in the country ever since they were deposed from power in 2001.
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