Afghan, U.S. Forces Raid Taliban Hideout

Afghan, U.S. Forces Raid Taliban Hideout


Thursday September 1, 2005 2:46 AM

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Afghan and U.S. ground troops, backed by attack helicopters, raided a Taliban camp in the mountains of southern Afghanistan, killing nine suspected militants, officials said Wednesday.

The camp in Uruzgan province had been used as a base by about 80 insurgents from where they launched guerrilla-style assaults on Afghan and U.S.-led coalition forces in the area, said provincial Gov. Jan Mohammed Khan.

American helicopters pounded the site with rockets before ground forces moved in. Several AK-47 assault rifles, rockets, as well as tents, kettles and other camping equipment were scattered around the area, the governor said.

A U.S. military statement said nine suspected militants were killed. Khan said the rest of the rebels fled during Tuesday's attack on the camp, which had been set up in several adjoining mountain caves.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5247165,00.html

"Afghanistan is all set, right? It's big, happy democracy over there, right? Good, let's go for Iraq now." -- A probably Bush statement circa September, 2002.