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UK troops lead attack on Taleban UK troops lead attack on Taleban
(20 minutes later)
British forces are taking part in a major military offensive against the Taleban in southern Afghanistan.British forces are taking part in a major military offensive against the Taleban in southern Afghanistan.
Up to 3,000 Nato troops, including Afghans and US forces, are involved in the British-led Operation Silicon in the Sangin Valley, Helmand province.Up to 3,000 Nato troops, including Afghans and US forces, are involved in the British-led Operation Silicon in the Sangin Valley, Helmand province.
BBC correspondent Alastair Leithead said the area was a Taleban stronghold and as troops moved forward, they were facing increasing resistance. BBC correspondent Alastair Leithead said the area was a Taleban stronghold and as troops moved forward, they were facing "considerable resistance".
The operation aims to drive Taleban fighters from the opium-producing area.The operation aims to drive Taleban fighters from the opium-producing area.
The BBC's correspondent said British troops had launched another offensive - Operation Silver - a few weeks ago and the current attack on the Taleban was an extension of that bid to push forward and gain ground.
Insurgents killed
A coalition statement said Nato-led forces and Afghan troops had also killed scores of Taleban fighters in the western province of Herat, near the border with Iran.
It said 87 had been killed in a 14-hour battle in Shindand district on Sunday - 49 died two days earlier.
About 30,000 coalition troops have been battling to reduce violence and boost the authority of President Karzai.
Nato and Afghan soldiers launched what they described as their largest offensive against the Taleban in the south last month.
Operation Achilles, involving more than 4,500 Nato troops and nearly 1,000 Afghan soldiers in northern Helmand province, aimed to bring security to the area.