NATO traps Taleban force in Kandahar ground offensive

NATO forces appeared to have surrounded a Taleban force up to 700 strong south-west of Kandahar city last night, as the largest ground battle in the military alliance's history entered its fourth day.

Operation Medusa is thought to be the first time that NATO has fought a brigade-level engagement. Yesterday Canadian forces reported that they had up to 700 Taleban fighters, including between 300 and 400 "hardcore fighters" trapped around the village of Pashmul, about 19 miles from Kandahar.

The Taleban force was in an area 3.5 miles by 4.5 miles, with some occupying open ground and some in mud-walled compounds, Canadian military spokesmen told The Scotsman. Artillery and aircraft were yesterday attacking those positions with bombing continuing overnight.

"We have the Taleban contained and we are using direct and indirect fire to pick them off as we see them moving around," said Maj Quentin Innes. "If we identify them and can see they are carrying weapons we are firing on them."

Another spokesman, Major Scott Lundy, described the area as "a complex battlespace". "Some [Taleban] elements are fixed, others are moving," he added.

About 100 Taleban fighters attempted a breakout to the south during the afternoon but ran into a US special forces unit, Major Innes said. A three hour firefight followed.

Some 50 Taleban fighters were reported killed during the day, in addition to 200 that were reported to have been killed in the first three days of the operation. A statement from the Afghan defence ministry cited intelligence reports claiming that four Taleban commanders and 12 of their bodyguards were among the dead.

The Taleban's overall military commander in the south, Mullah Dadullah, rejected the NATO figure of 200 dead, suggesting that the true figure was "not even ten" and warned that journalists caught reporting such figures would be executed.

A Canadian unit captured two alleged fighters who appeared to be trying to escape northwards during the afternoon. "Their hands tested positive for explosive residue and they were handed over to Afghan police," said Maj Innes.

NATO forces were not reported to have suffered any casualties yesterday. Five Canadians were killed during the first three days of fighting, one of them the victim of a friendly fire incident when an American A-10 tankbuster accidentally strafed Canadian forces. An undisclosed number have been injured.

Operation Medusa includes troops from Canada, the United States, Denmark and Holland as well as Afghan security forces. British troops are involved in a supporting role and British Harrier jets provide air support.

The main civilian hospital in Kandahar reported that a 12-year-old girl was killed and nine other civilians treated for injuries from the fighting in Punjwai. A resident of Punjwai district said by telephone that many local people had been killed or injured.

"Bombings happen day and night," he said. "If one Taleban dies, three civilians also get killed. The joint forces fire upon anyone without making sure if he is a Taleb or not."

Last week NATO aircraft dropped leaflets across the area of Punjwai and its surrounds warning local people of an impending military operation and advising them to leave the area. It is unclear how many people followed that advice.

• Pro-Taleban militants and the Pakistani government reached a peace deal on Tuesday under which the militants agreed to stop attacks in both Pakistan and across the border in Afghanistan, negotiators said.