Taliban militants put up tough fight against Nato

Taliban fighters under siege in southern Afghanistan were putting up a tough fight yesterday, military officials said, as civilian authorities geared up to take over.

The number of foreign troops killed in Operation Mushtarak rose to 12 with the death of an ISAF soldier during fighting on Friday as Nato's biggest assault against the militants moved into its second week.

About 15,000 US-led troops from Nato and Afghanistan are taking part in the offensive against Taliban militants who have held sway over the Marjah and Nad Ali districts of Helmand province for at least two years.

Operation Mushtarak is the showcase test of US President Barack Obama's new war strategy, which pivots on counter-insurgency and winning the confidence of people.

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