Dozens Killed as US, Afghan Troops Fight Rebels
The Associated Press
Wednesday 22 June 2005

5 US soldiers wounded in gunbattle in south of country.

Kabul, Afghanistan - Fighting between suspected rebels and Afghan and U.S.-led coalition troops in southern Afghanistan left about 40 insurgents and a policeman dead and five U.S. soldiers wounded, the U.S. military said Wednesday.

Two other Afghan police officers were wounded in the 11-hour gunbattle Tuesday near the Daychopan district in Zabul province, a military statement said.

"Coalition warplanes and attack helicopters were hammering enemy positions throughout the evening," it said.

U.S. military spokesman Lt. Col. Jerry O'Hara said the operation was ongoing.

"We are not letting up on the enemy and will continue to pursue them until the fighting stops. Coalition and Afghan forces will continue to defeat these militants for as long as necessary to ensure the people of Afghanistan remain free of oppression and tyranny," he said. >>>continued

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