Offensive against Taliban nets 40 in first 2 days

AP/Washington Post:

Airstrikes and ground troops 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 that ended Thursday in a remote part of southeastern Paktika province, near the Pakistan border, said Lt. Col. Paul Fitzpatrick.

One coalition member was wounded, he said, declining to release his nationality. A militant wounded during the battle was also captured.

Operations began Wednesday with an airstrike on a remote, mountainous stronghold near the village of Orgun-e, the military said. Ground forces encountered "numerous well-fortified and concealed fighting positions manned by aggressive fighters."

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.

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There is more. The Taliban have been very ineffective in combat with US and NATO forces and even Afghan forces. They have yet to win an engagement and they have suffered significant casualties every time they have tried to mass for an attack or to defend against an attack. They appear to be poorly trained and they lack the normal raider's skill of retreat to avoid battle. It is as if they have never heard the concept of living to fight another day. Perhaps their religious training will not permit it. At this point they seem to be far from the holy warriors that defeated the Soviets.