Kabul, February 16: Civilians in the southern Afghan town of Marjah said fighting there continued yesterday at “maximum intensity” as Taliban insurgents were squeezed into ever-smaller pockets.
Despite encountering fierce resistance from small bands of guerrillas, the allies claim most of the town in Helmand province is under the control of Nato and Afghan troops. They are unable to take the main bazaar, however, having been forced back twice by heavy fire from Taliban sharp shooters.
“The foreign troops have control of all the main roundabouts,” Ajmal Gullai, a 33-year-old taxi driver who lives in Marjah, told The Independent by phone.
–Agencies