"US general upbeat on Afghan war; But says more troops needed to fight militants" by Jason Straziuso, Associated Press | October 13, 2008
KABUL, Afghanistan - In the country's wild south, meanwhile, Taliban militants launched a surprise attack on the provincial capital of Helmand, sparking a battle that killed about 60 insurgents, an Afghan official said.
Militants attacked the town of Lashkar Gah yesterday and were pushed back only after a battle that involved NATO and Afghan troops and airstrikes, said Daud Ahmadi, the spokesman for the provincial governor. Rockets landed in different parts of the city but there were no civilian casualties, he said.
Did they look for any?
In a second battle in Helmand, Afghan and international troops retook the Nad Ali district center during a three-day fight, Ahmadi said. That battle, which also involved airstrikes, ended Saturday. About 40 militants were killed, he said.
Excuse me? The Taliban had SEIZED a DISTRICT?!
Should I believe the lying MSM that we got it back?
Ahmadi's death tolls could not be verified independently. Journalists are not able to travel to remote and dangerous battle sites. Afghan officials have been known to exaggerate death tolls in the past.
Yeah, and U.S. officials have been known to UNDERSELL them , too!!!!
Insurgency-related violence has killed more than 4,800 people - mostly militants - this year, according to an Associated Press count of figures from Western and Afghan officials. --more--"
Whatever, AP, you hacks.
