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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Nato 'kills 150 Taleban fighters' | Nato 'kills 150 Taleban fighters' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Nato says as many as 150 Taleban militants have been killed in a battle in eastern Afghanistan. | Nato says as many as 150 Taleban militants have been killed in a battle in eastern Afghanistan. |
| "The insurgents had been observed gathering in Pakistan and had crossed the border prior to launching an attack," Nato said in a statement. | "The insurgents had been observed gathering in Pakistan and had crossed the border prior to launching an attack," Nato said in a statement. |
| Nato and Afghan forces responded with artillery and air strikes, it said. | Nato and Afghan forces responded with artillery and air strikes, it said. |
| The Afghan defence ministry earlier estimated that about 80 insurgents were killed. There has been no independent confirmation of the casualties. | The Afghan defence ministry earlier estimated that about 80 insurgents were killed. There has been no independent confirmation of the casualties. |
| The battle took place in Afghanistan's Paktika province, close to the Pakistani border. | The battle took place in Afghanistan's Paktika province, close to the Pakistani border. |
| The Nato statement said the Taleban were monitored and tracked as they crossed the border, and then attacked. | The Nato statement said the Taleban were monitored and tracked as they crossed the border, and then attacked. |
| "Initial battle damage estimates indicate as many as 150 insurgents were killed," it said. | "Initial battle damage estimates indicate as many as 150 insurgents were killed," it said. |
| While the defence ministry put the death toll at 80, an Afghan commander, General Murad Ali, said only about 10 bodies were recovered. He personally estimated the death toll at about 50. | While the defence ministry put the death toll at 80, an Afghan commander, General Murad Ali, said only about 10 bodies were recovered. He personally estimated the death toll at about 50. |
| It is not clear why the figures differed so much. Gen Ali only referred to one group of fighters crossing the border. | It is not clear why the figures differed so much. Gen Ali only referred to one group of fighters crossing the border. |
| 'Pakistani help' | |
| If the Nato account proves to be correct it will be a notable success for the alliance as they prepare to counter an anticipated spring offensive by the Taleban, says the BBC's Dan Isaacs in Kabul. | |
| It is also significant, he says, that Nato officials said they had the close co-operation of the Pakistani authorities in monitoring the insurgents before they entered Afghanistan. | |
| Afghan leaders have repeatedly called for Pakistan to offer more help in fighting the Taleban. |