Coalition forces kill 40 insurgents in major anti-Taliban offensive

Описание: (16 Jun 2006)
Musa Qala, Helmand Province
1. United States Army 105mm Howitzer type field artillery firing
2. Howitzer being reloaded
3. Various of Howitzers firing
4. Soldier looks out at Helmand desert through binoculars
5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Lieutenant Colonel Chris Toner, 2nd Battalion 87th Regiment, 10th Mountain Division
"The operation is going in accordance to plan. We are successful to date and we are marching down the road of bringing peace, security and prosperity jointly with our Afghan National (Army) brothers to the people of Afghanistan and, in my case, specifically to the people of Helmand province."
6. Wide of US Army Humvees parked in desert
7. Various of US troops working inside base
8. Humvee drives off into the desert
9. Sunset behind guard tower
STORYLINE:
Airstrikes and ground troops have killed at least 40 militants during combat operations in support of a massive anti-Taliban campaign across southern Afghanistan, military officials said Friday.
The insurgents were killed in a two-day operation in a remote part of southeastern Paktika province, near the Pakistan border.
A spokesman also reported one coalition member wounded, but declined to release his nationality. A militant wounded during the battle was captured.
The offensive was launched in support of Operation Mountain Thrust - the largest anti-Taliban military campaign undertaken since the former regime's 2001 ouster in an American-led invasion.
An Associated Press Television crew is currently embedded with the 2nd battalion of the 87th infantry regiment, 10th mountain division, taking part.
Lieutenant Colonel Chris Toner told the Associated Press that the deployment of Operation Mountain Thrust had so far gone "in accordance to plan."
More than ten thousand US-led troops are to be deployed across southern Afghanistan to quell a Taliban resurgence and prepare the ground for the imminent takeover of military control by NATO-led forces.
On Wednesday, Paktika's provincial governor told The Associated Press that 26 militants had been killed by Afghan and coalition soldiers during initial stages of the operation.
Extremist forces, primarily Taliban, have been stepping up attacks against coalition and Afghan troops across the country, particularly the south, in the bloodiest campaign of violence launched since 2001.
More than 500 people, mostly militants, have been killed in the past month.

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