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"KANDAHAR -- The Afghan National Army has declared victory in defending a southern city from an attempted Taliban takeover after days of heavy fighting that tested the mettle of an Afghan battalion under Canadian mentorship.
"The enemy tried to occupy Lashkar Gah, but Afghan forces have defeated them very well, which perhaps they were not expecting," Afghan Gen. Sher Muhammad Zazai said through a translator in Kandahar yesterday.
"We defeated the enemy very badly."
The fighting in Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province, began about 10 days ago when hundreds of Taliban militants attacked the city from three sides.
On Oct. 15, insurgents attacked police outposts around the city but were beaten by ANA forces under the guidance of Canadian mentor teams, and backed up by British forces.
Later, Afghan and international troops retook the Nad Ali district centre, which had been held by insurgents, after a three-day fight. That battle, which also involved air strikes, ended Saturday.
Altogether, Afghan and NATO officials claim that 100 Taliban died in the fighting. "
The Calgary Sun - Afghans rout enemy
"The enemy tried to occupy Lashkar Gah, but Afghan forces have defeated them very well, which perhaps they were not expecting," Afghan Gen. Sher Muhammad Zazai said through a translator in Kandahar yesterday.
"We defeated the enemy very badly."
The fighting in Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province, began about 10 days ago when hundreds of Taliban militants attacked the city from three sides.
On Oct. 15, insurgents attacked police outposts around the city but were beaten by ANA forces under the guidance of Canadian mentor teams, and backed up by British forces.
Later, Afghan and international troops retook the Nad Ali district centre, which had been held by insurgents, after a three-day fight. That battle, which also involved air strikes, ended Saturday.
Altogether, Afghan and NATO officials claim that 100 Taliban died in the fighting. "
The Calgary Sun - Afghans rout enemy