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NATO: Up to 60 Taleban Insurgents Killed in Southern Afghanistan
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?r=279&ctl=13CDCB8:A6F02AD83191E160AFA69C3042572DEB9574F7DCC14957C0 Spokesman says
latest clashes occurred in Kandahar province over course of 24 hours





Pte. Dave Partridge of Whitby, Ont., left, Sgt. Chad Garton, center,
and Pte. Chris Brooks of Brampton, Ont., wait for orders in Panjwaii,
after hearing that one of their comrades died in a friendly fire
incident nearby, Monday, Sept 4, 2006NATO says allied forces have
killed between 50 and 60 Taleban insurgents in southern Afghanistan.



A NATO spokesman Tuesday said the latest clashes occurred in Kandahar
province over the course of 24 hours. He says the estimate was based
on reports from troops on the ground.

This brings the number of insurgents killed in a NATO-led offensive
launched on Saturday to more than 250. Five Canadian soldiers also
were killed during the offensive dubbed Operation Medusa, which aims
to wipe out Taleban strongholds in Kandahar province.

Earlier in the day, a NATO spokesman, Major Quentin Innesm said allied
forces are closing in on Taleban guerrillas, pushing them into what he
called "a bit of a trap."

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is due to visit Afghanistan as
early as Wednesday, in an effort to mend strained relations between
the two countries.

Afghan officials contend that Taleban guerrillas use Pakistani
territory as a staging area for their cross-border attacks. Pakistan
rejects the accusation.

General Musharraf's visit will coincide with a three-day trip to Kabul
of the NATO leadership for talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai
and United Nations officials.

NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and military commander
General James Jones arrived late Monday at the head of the large
delegation. They also will visit peacekeeping troops, of which the
alliance took command in July.



Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.


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