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Afghan troops enter Taleban town Afghan troops take Taleban town
(31 minutes later)
Afghan army troops have penetrated the heart of the Taleban-held town of Musa Qala, according to a spokesman for the Nato-led force in Afghanistan. Afghan army troops have captured the Taleban-held town of Musa Qala without meeting resistance, the Nato-led force in Afghanistan has said.
Isaf's Major Charles Anthony said Afghan National Army troops "are in the centre of the town", which is the only major Afghan centre in Taleban hands. The insurgents have pulled out of what was the only major Afghan centre in Taleban hands, reportedly melting away into the mountains.
Afghan, US and UK troops have been fighting Taleban there since Friday.Afghan, US and UK troops have been fighting Taleban there since Friday.
The Taleban took over Musa Qala in February, despite a deal struck with tribal elders when UK troops withdrew.The Taleban took over Musa Qala in February, despite a deal struck with tribal elders when UK troops withdrew.
It has since become the main centre of drugs trading in Afghanistan, the BBC's David Loyn in Kabul says.It has since become the main centre of drugs trading in Afghanistan, the BBC's David Loyn in Kabul says.
Hardships Counter-attack
Twelve Taleban fighters, two children and a British soldier are reported to have been killed in the battle. A second Nato soldier died in the area on Sunday. The Taleban withdrew after telling local elders that they would not fight street by street after heavy aerial bombardment during the night.
According to our correspondent they will easily disappear into the mountains to the north of the town, dressed as they are in the same way as the local residents, with the distinctive black turban worn in the south of Afghanistan.
However, they are expected to regroup and try to stage a counter-attack, our correspondent says, so the task for Nato and Afghan forces now is to dig in and fortify their positions.
Twelve Taleban fighters and two children are reported to have been killed in the four days of fighting since Friday and UK soldier Sergeant Lee Johnson was killed when an explosion hit his vehicle.
A second Nato soldier died in the area on Sunday.
Two senior Taleban leaders are reported to have been captured in the fighting.Two senior Taleban leaders are reported to have been captured in the fighting.
The assault is the first major operation where the new Afghan army is playing a leading role.The assault is the first major operation where the new Afghan army is playing a leading role.
Heavy rain fell on the battlefield overnight, making conditions difficult for vehicles as sand turns to mud.Heavy rain fell on the battlefield overnight, making conditions difficult for vehicles as sand turns to mud.
It is also another hardship for thousands of residents of Musa Qala who fled north across the desert to the mountains when the fighting began.It is also another hardship for thousands of residents of Musa Qala who fled north across the desert to the mountains when the fighting began.
On Sunday, the Taleban mounted attacks in three other towns in Helmand in an apparent diversionary tactic.On Sunday, the Taleban mounted attacks in three other towns in Helmand in an apparent diversionary tactic.
But a British army spokesman said this did not distract focus away from the main battle to re-take Musa Qala.