October 16, 2003	Thursday	Sha'aban 19, 1424

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KABUL, Oct 15: Ten suspected Taliban and two Afghan soldiers have died in the past two days during operations supported by US ground and air forces in central Afghanistan, a local official said on Wednesday.

Although the number of fatalities was provisional and could rise, the official said fighting in Uruzgan province has ended. About 300 government soldiers took part in a region once known as a stronghold for the former Taliban rulers.

Afghans called for US airstrikes against suspected Taliban positions during the encounter. Hostilities began after two Taliban attacks on Afghan forces, on Sunday and Monday, that killed eight Afghan soldiers. One of the attacks was carried out with help from Al Qaeda terrorists, Afghan officials said.—dpa