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Post by cammy on Jul 6, 2009 7:16:15 GMT 1
Two American soldiers died after militants attacked a coalition base in eastern Afghanistan, exploding a truck outside the gates and sparking a two-hour gun battle.
US forces called in air strikes to end the clash, killing more than 30 insurgents in Zerok district of Paktika province, said Hamidullah Zawak, the provincial governor's spokesman.
Backed by Afghan soldiers, US forces are involved in the biggest coalition offensive in Afghanistan since 2001. More than 4,000 US marines were airlifted last week into the southern province of Helmand which over-extended British troops have proved unable to secure in three years of tough combat.
Though the marines have had at least one other action with an estimated 30 or 40 Taliban, it is increasingly clear that the insurgents have fled or gone to ground rather than take on a heavily armed US force. British troops continue to push into the north of the province.
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