Random Variable
Lifer
WASHINGTON (AP) ? One American was killed and a number injured in an assault on Taliban and al-Qaida fighters regrouping in eastern Afghanistan, the Pentagon said Saturday.
Two Afghan fighters also were killed and an unknown number injured in an operation that began Friday night south of Gardez, the Pentagon said.
The casualties came during the largest U.S.-led ground operation in the anti-terror campaign since December, military officials said.
The battle plan called for a combination of American special forces and Army 101st Airborne assault troops fighting alongside Afghan allies on the ground with U.S. bombing support from the air, said Pentagon officials, speaking on condition of anonymity.
It appeared the U.S.-backed Afghans made little headway against al-Qaida and Taliban defenders on the first day of an offensive.
Afghan forces broke off the attack in early afternoon and withdrew, possibly to allow U.S. bombers to soften up Taliban and al-Qaida positions overnight. Heavy bombers could be heard flying toward the area late Saturday.
Two Afghan fighters also were killed and an unknown number injured in an operation that began Friday night south of Gardez, the Pentagon said.
The casualties came during the largest U.S.-led ground operation in the anti-terror campaign since December, military officials said.
The battle plan called for a combination of American special forces and Army 101st Airborne assault troops fighting alongside Afghan allies on the ground with U.S. bombing support from the air, said Pentagon officials, speaking on condition of anonymity.
It appeared the U.S.-backed Afghans made little headway against al-Qaida and Taliban defenders on the first day of an offensive.
Afghan forces broke off the attack in early afternoon and withdrew, possibly to allow U.S. bombers to soften up Taliban and al-Qaida positions overnight. Heavy bombers could be heard flying toward the area late Saturday.
