KABUL, Feb 18: British and Afghan troops attacked “a major Taliban extremist headquarters” in southern Afghanistan, destroying three compounds and a tunnel that linked them, the Nato-led force said on Sunday.

The operation launched late Saturday was in the southern province of Helmand, which has seen a surge in violence with a town under militant control for more than a fortnight and regular battles in many districts.

The International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) did not say how many people may have been killed in the operation in the Garmser district but said there were no casualties to security forces.

More than 150 British troops supported by Afghan soldiers “conducted a major operation to target a Taliban extremist stronghold in Helmand,” the Nato-led force said.

“The operation commenced late last night, focusing on three major compounds and carried on through this morning. A significant tunnel complex linking the strongholds was also destroyed.” The area was “clear”, it said.

The offensive, called Operation Glacier, was conducted after consultation with elders and the provincial governor.

“Op Glacier marks the continuation of our recent operations in and around Garmser to strike at Taliban extremist targets and command centres,” spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Rory Bruce was quoted as saying.

The British deployment to Isaf, the second biggest after that of the United States, is made up of about 5,200 soldiers mostly based in untamed Helmand, Afghanistan's top producer and trafficker of illicit opium.

The force has been kept busy this year with regular clashes around various districts, notably Kajaki where it is trying to secure a hydropower dam.

Taliban fighters captured the town of Musa Qala early February and have clung onto control despite the killing of two commanders in Isaf precision strikes and attempts by government and tribal elders to negotiate.

Isaf and the Afghan defence ministry have said they could retake the town easily but are awaiting the go-ahead from government, which says it is concerned about civilian casualties.—AFP