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Afghanistan
2 British Soldiers killed in Afghanistan, Major U.S offensive planned against Taliban
2006-06-27
TWO British soldiers were killed in fighting today in southern Afghanistan, where US-led forces are mounting their biggest offensive against Taliban militia since 2002. A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman in London said they were killed in action in the Sangin valley of Helmand province, in the southwest of the country, in the early hours of the morning. "Two members of the UK armed forces have been killed in action in Afghanistan," she said. "The next of kin are being informed but there are no further details." The deaths are the second and third British military fatalities since UK forces were deployed to the volatile area of Helmand in recent months.

A spokesman for the Taliban said its fighters had killed a large number of foreign and Afghan troops in Helmand and destroyed three trucks carrying supplies for foreign forces. The spokesman, Qari Mohammad Yousuf, said the fighting went on for four hours. Residents in the area reported heavy fighting including airstrikes by foreign forces. Helmand police chief Nabi Mullahkhail said 13 Taliban had been killed in the fighting early today. He said no Afghan troops were killed.
Posted by:Oztralian

#10  OP that was great but I have to disagree with our beloved TW. She is being too nice, we should bulldoze down the UN and build the memorial in its place.LOL
Posted by: 49 Pan   2006-06-27 22:45  

#9  Like my landlord said to me, "The Taliban are taking one helluva beating". He is in Afghanistan.
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2006-06-27 19:46  

#8   "That others may breathe free".

What a stunning design, Old Patriot. Let's place it in front of the UN building, on the American side of the street. Why is the circle to be broken in twelve places, though?

Howard, check through the last two weeks of Rantburg posts -- they've been stacking Taliban bodies like cordwood.
Posted by: trailing wife   2006-06-27 16:55  

#7  I'm all for building an international monument to all who have died in the war against islamist extremism. It should be a circle of gray granite, broken in twelve places, with a "unisphere" type monument in the center. Across the top of each slab of curved granite would read the words, "That others may breathe free". The names of every person that has died fighting terrorism should be engraved on the outside, and every person that has been a victim of terrorism should be engraved on the inside (I.E., "Cpl. James Edward Jones - Iraq - 5/14/2004" or "Helen Smith - WTC, NY - 9/11/2001"). Begin with the palestinian attack on the Israeli athletes at Munich. We should never forget either the heros or the victims of this insane war against tyranny.
Posted by: Old Patriot   2006-06-27 15:58  

#6  No greater love. And no higher calling.
Posted by: Xbalanke   2006-06-27 12:17  

#5  Sorry to hear this. I hope they sent dozens more bad guys off to Allan before they died.
Posted by: Besoeker   2006-06-27 11:01  

#4  At this point, the US military is a firm believer in underestimating enemy KIA.

There is a solid historical basis for this presumption, and not just for American forces. That is why others have resorted to counting noses.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2006-06-27 09:38  

#3  At this point, the US military is a firm believer in underestimating enemy KIA. Since the enemy have no other way of telling how they are doing in the field than public reports of casualties, it really screws them up.

They don't know what their damage is, if their men were killed, captured or deserted, how weak or how strong their field units are, or where they have had anything, no matter how incremental, that was a success.

Almost as soon as their men cross the border, they disappear.
Posted by: Anonymoose   2006-06-27 09:31  

#2  Having heard little or nothing about the massive Taliban casuality figures over the last week I expect the UK press to be all over this like a rash. My thoughts are with the men's families - thanks for helping to make the world a safer place. Sleep well.
Posted by: Howard UK   2006-06-27 08:22  

#1  God bless them.
Posted by: 49 Pan   2006-06-27 08:20  

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