Nearly 30 Taliban killed in north Afghanistan

Three pro-government militia troops and 29 Taliban militants were killed in a series of clashes in northern Afghanistan, a provincial governor said Saturday. Afghan soldiers and US special forces clashed with a group of Taliban militants in Archi district of Kunduz province on Friday night, killing 14 insurgents, Governor Mohammad Omar said. Nearly 30 Taliban killed in north Afghanistan Four suspects were detained by the combined forces, he said. Four other Taliban fighters and three pro-government militia forces were killed in combat in the Emam Saheb district on Friday, he added. Nine other Taliban fighters were killed, including commander Mullah Selab and a Pakistani fighter, and more than a dozen others were injured in Chardarah district and Khewaja Ghar area, he said. Violence is on the rise in the northern region, which has been relatively peaceful until about three years ago compared to the southern and eastern provinces, the Taliban's main power base. The militants have now turned several districts in Kunduz and neighbouring Baghlan province into their main hub of activity in the north. Seven German troops were killed and more than a dozen were injured in the past month in the two provinces. Around 4,500 German soldiers are stationed in the northern region, while 500 additional forces are expected to arrive in there in the coming months. Omar said 1,200 extra U.S. troops are expected to be deployed to Chardarah and Archi, the most volatile districts in Kunduz, where they are expected to build a new military base in May. He said 3,000 more U.S. forces would arrive in the northern province of Balkh in summer. With the deployment of additional NATO forces, a major offensive is planned in Kunduz and Baghlan provinces, the first large operation against militants in the north since the Taliban government's ouster in late 2001. Currently there are more than 125,000 NATO troops in the country, and the total is set to rise to 150,000 by mid-year.

Nearly 30 Taliban killed in north Afghanistan

Four suspects were detained by the combined forces, he said. Four other Taliban fighters and three pro-government militia forces were killed in combat in the Emam Saheb district on Friday, he added.

Nine other Taliban fighters were killed, including commander Mullah Selab and a Pakistani fighter, and more than a dozen others were injured in Chardarah district and Khewaja Ghar area, he said.

Violence is on the rise in the northern region, which has been relatively peaceful until about three years ago compared to the southern and eastern provinces, the Taliban's main power base.

The militants have now turned several districts in Kunduz and neighbouring Baghlan province into their main hub of activity in the north.

Seven German troops were killed and more than a dozen were injured in the past month in the two provinces. Around 4,500 German soldiers are stationed in the northern region, while 500 additional forces are expected to arrive in there in the coming months.

Omar said 1,200 extra U.S. troops are expected to be deployed to Chardarah and Archi, the most volatile districts in Kunduz, where they are expected to build a new military base in May. He said 3,000 more U.S. forces would arrive in the northern province of Balkh in summer.

With the deployment of additional NATO forces, a major offensive is planned in Kunduz and Baghlan provinces, the first large operation against militants in the north since the Taliban government's ouster in late 2001.

Currently there are more than 125,000 NATO troops in the country, and the total is set to rise to 150,000 by mid-year.