August 29, 2003	Friday	Jumadi-us-Sani 30, 1424

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KABUL, Aug 28: At least four suspected Taliban were killed on Thursday as Afghan troops, backed by US-led soldiers and aircraft, continued combat operations against militants in the mountains of southeastern Afghanistan, a local official said.

Afghan and US forces have been carrying out a major operation against suspected Taliban and Al Qaeda bases in the mountains of Daychopan district of Zabul province, 300kms southwest of Kabul.

“Today fighting started between government forces and a group of Taliban in the Chanar area of Daychopan district,” Zabul governor Hafizullah Hashim said.

“The fighting is still going on and in the afternoon four Taliban were killed,” he said.

Hafizullah said more militants were believed to have been killed as fighting continued in the mountains. He said there were no casualties so far on the government side. US aircraft bombed suspected Taliban after the militants used explosives to block a mountain pass, he said.

“Taliban have blown up the pass so our vehicles can’t pass. There are coalition forces fighting with us and their aircraft bombed the area,” he said.—AFP