‘80 Taliban’ Killed In Afghanistan

Nato troops killed 70-80 Taleban in a fierce battle in southern Afghanistan, the alliance said. A reconnaissance patrol hunting Taleban engaged a large group of fighters about 15 km (9 miles) from the village of Musa Qala in Helmand, a stronghold of the Islamist guerrillas and the main opium-growing province in the world's major supplier.In a four-hour battle backed by attack helicopters and close air support, the ground commander estimated 70-80 guerrillas were killed, a Nato spokesman said. There were no Nato casualties, but three soldiers from Nato's International Security Assistance Force were wounded during another clash earlier in the day.