An attack by British and Afghan troops on the Taliban-controlled town of Musa Qala in Afghanistan has led to the capture of two Taliban commanders.

A NATO spokesman said Afghan soldiers are ready to occupy the Islamists' stronghold and expect the town to fall within two days, The Times of London reported Sunday.

Hundreds of rebel fighters in the area have been reported killed in air strikes and probing attacks in the last few weeks in advance of the offensive, one of the most ambitious to be launched in Afghanistan since 2001.

Twelve Taliban militants and two children have been killed since the joint military force launched its assault, the BBC said Saturday.

While the militants were directly involved in the battle with the approaching forces, the two children were killed as Taliban troops were caught attempting to flee the town inside a convoy of civilians, the report said.

Taliban forces inside the town have sworn to protect the northern Helmand Province town to the last man.

"We have orders from our commanders to fight to the death," Taliban commander Mullah Ahmad Muslim told The Telegraph. 
 // Copyright 2007 by United Press International


Publication date: 10 December 2007   

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