This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/5362796.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Militants' die in Afghan clash 'Militants' die in Afghan clash
(about 8 hours later)
Nato-led troops in southern Afghanistan say they have killed up to 10 militants in fresh fighting in Helmand province.Nato-led troops in southern Afghanistan say they have killed up to 10 militants in fresh fighting in Helmand province.
A statement from the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said its soldiers suffered no casualties in the clash in Garmser district.A statement from the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said its soldiers suffered no casualties in the clash in Garmser district.
The latest violence came a day after Nato's top general in Afghanistan said the Taleban had been "comprehensively defeated" in nearby Kandahar province.The latest violence came a day after Nato's top general in Afghanistan said the Taleban had been "comprehensively defeated" in nearby Kandahar province.
Lt Gen David Richard made his remarks despite three suicide blasts on Monday.Lt Gen David Richard made his remarks despite three suicide blasts on Monday.
About 20 people, including four Canadian soldiers, died in the bombings.About 20 people, including four Canadian soldiers, died in the bombings.
One was in Kandahar province, where Nato claimed its success, while the others were in the capital, Kabul, and Herat in the west.One was in Kandahar province, where Nato claimed its success, while the others were in the capital, Kabul, and Herat in the west.
Air supportAir support
Isaf said its troops were on a training mission with Afghan troops and police in Garmser district when they spotted militants carrying a heavy machine gun.Isaf said its troops were on a training mission with Afghan troops and police in Garmser district when they spotted militants carrying a heavy machine gun.
"Isaf forces engaged the insurgents with machine gun fire and close air support," the statement said."Isaf forces engaged the insurgents with machine gun fire and close air support," the statement said.
"Battle damage assessment indicates that three insurgent vehicles were destroyed with up to 10 insurgents killed. There were no Isaf casualties.""Battle damage assessment indicates that three insurgent vehicles were destroyed with up to 10 insurgents killed. There were no Isaf casualties."
In a clash in Ghazni province in the east, nine Taleban were killed and 13 injured, police said. The Taleban said they had killed five policemen, but officials said only two officers were injured.
Fighting has raged across southern Afghanistan this year, where Nato has taken over from US-led troops in an attempt to extend the authority of the Afghan government.Fighting has raged across southern Afghanistan this year, where Nato has taken over from US-led troops in an attempt to extend the authority of the Afghan government.
Hundreds of people have been killed in the violence, most of them suspected militantsHundreds of people have been killed in the violence, most of them suspected militants
Afghan troops and police have also died, and a number of civilian deaths have been reported.Afghan troops and police have also died, and a number of civilian deaths have been reported.
Canadian and British forces have suffered heavy casualties among foreign forces.Canadian and British forces have suffered heavy casualties among foreign forces.
Taleban 'underestimated'Taleban 'underestimated'
On Sunday Nato said that at least 400 Taleban fighters had been killed in a two-week operation codenamed Medusa, the biggest offensive since Nato took over in southern Afghanistan from US-led forces at the end of July.On Sunday Nato said that at least 400 Taleban fighters had been killed in a two-week operation codenamed Medusa, the biggest offensive since Nato took over in southern Afghanistan from US-led forces at the end of July.
The deaths cannot be independently verified.The deaths cannot be independently verified.
"We have comprehensively defeated the Taleban in their biggest defeat since 2001," Gen Richards told reporters after visiting Panjwayi district in Kandahar province, which was at the centre of the operation."We have comprehensively defeated the Taleban in their biggest defeat since 2001," Gen Richards told reporters after visiting Panjwayi district in Kandahar province, which was at the centre of the operation.
"It should go down in history and it could go down in history as the turning point in this campaign.""It should go down in history and it could go down in history as the turning point in this campaign."
But he added that he wanted more troops to "ram home the advantage".But he added that he wanted more troops to "ram home the advantage".
Two other major operations - one Nato-led in western Farah province and one US-led in eastern Afghanistan - are currently under way.Two other major operations - one Nato-led in western Farah province and one US-led in eastern Afghanistan - are currently under way.
UK Defence Secretary Des Browne acknowledged on Tuesday that the strength of the Taleban had been underestimated, but insisted Nato's mission would succeed.UK Defence Secretary Des Browne acknowledged on Tuesday that the strength of the Taleban had been underestimated, but insisted Nato's mission would succeed.