News, June  23, 2008

US-led Coalition Forces Kill 55 Afghanis Monday, Scores on Sunday

www.chinaview.cn 2008-06-23 19:30:25  

    KABUL, June 23 (Xinhua) --

The U.S.-led Coalition forces killed dozens of (Afghanis alleged to be Taliban fighters) and wounded more than two dozens others, a statement of the alliance released here Monday said.

    The casualties, according to the statement, were inflicted on (alleged Taliban fighters) in the eastern Paktika province when the troops came under attack early weekend and returned fire.

    "Coalition forces in the Zerok District of Paktika province inflicted heavy casualties in response to an ambush in that area June 20 during which around 55 anti-Afghan forces were killed, 25 wounded," the statement stressed.

    In the operation supported by airpower, three (alleged Taliban fighters) were detained, the statement further said.

    In a similar operation the U.S.-led Coalition forces in conjunction with Afghan troops on Sunday in Sangin district of the southern Helmand province had killed scores of (alleged Taliban fighters), another statement said.

    However, it did not give the exact figure of casualties but added there were no casualties on the troops.

    Afghan troops, according to the statement spotted a three-man mortar team near a village in Sangin district while on a security patrol and the mortar team attacked the patrol with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.

    Taliban fighters have not made comment.

    Attacks on international troops are on the rise during past weeks especially in southern and eastern Afghanistan where the Taliban fighters continue to demonstrate their strength through suicide and roadside bombings.

    Escalating (war attacks) have left around 2,000 people dead since January this year in the war-torn Afghanistan.

Editor: Sun Yunlong

Opinions expressed in various sections are the sole responsibility of their authors and they may not represent ccun.org.

editor@ccun.org