Pro-government militia forces killed 20 suspected Taliban in a new offensive in southern Afghanistan while US warplanes pounded extremists holed up nearby."Following the interrogation of suspects captured in the operation north of Kandahar we could identify a new base in the Haba moutnains," said Gul Agha, governor of the southern province of Kandahar.
"We launched a raid on this base, 20 Taliban were killed and three of our soldiers were killed in the fighting."

Last week Agha launched operations against suspected Taliban north of Kandahar city following the murder of Red Cross worker Ricardo Munguia.

Meanwhile US warplanes bombed a group of 40 suspected Taliban fighting Agha's forces in the adjacent Torghar Mountains, a military spokesman told reporters at Bagram Air Base north of Kabul.

Kandahar was the heartland of the hardline Taliban militia until it was ousted by US-led forces in late 2001 following the September 11 attacks masterminded by al-Qaeda leader and Taliban "guest" Osama bin Laden.

Meanwhile, Chapman Air Field in Khost, eastern Afghanistan, came under attack from three suspected rockets Wednesday night. There were no injuries or damage.

US and Afghan pro-government forces frequently come under attack from suspected Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters.

Some 11,500-coalition troops, including 8,500 US forces, are engaged in hunting down al-Qaeda and Taliban remnants, mostly in southern and eastern Afghanistan.

PHOTO CAPTION

An Afghan hunter stands by French International Security Assistance Force soldiers in Sayeed Abad village some 35 kms north of Kabul. An 11,500-strong coalition force, which includes 8,500 US troops, is engaged in hunting down Taliban and al-Qaeda remnants, mostly in eastern and southern Afghanistan. (AFP/Shah Marai)