KABUL, 1 July 2006 — US-led forces in Afghanistan killed 14 gunmen yesterday in an attack on a Taleban safe house in an eastern province, while eight militants were detained in a raid in the south, the US military said. US forces also tightened security on the southern border with Pakistan yesterday, warning people not to cross through unofficial points and not to shelter Taleban, witnesses said.
The recent surge of violence, most of it in the south and east, has killed about 1,100 people, including about 50 foreign troops since January. It comes as NATO prepares to take over security duties in the south from US-led forces in what is set to be the alliance’s toughest ever ground mission.
The commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan said on Thursday the international community had underestimated a resurgent Taleban in the Afghan south, partly because the war in Iraq diverted attention and resources.
A known Taleban safe house was attacked in Nuristan province in the east after men with rifles and rocket-propelled grenades were spotted heading there, the US military said. In another incident, one suspected militant was killed in a raid in Kandahar province to the south, where the eight suspects were arrested, it said.
