British forces are engaged in Operation Panther’s Claw in Helmand Province of Afghanistan for more than two weeks. They are fighting with Taliban forces closely. There have been casualties too. Two more British soldiers were killed in these close encounters with Taliban. Civilians have fled the province.

Meanwhile US marines are holding talks with tribal leaders in the Southern Helmand Valley in what constitutes another operation by the name of Operation Sword Strike. These two operations closing in on Taliban should be able to flush the areas of insurgents finally after so many years. The main aim is to stop the militant movement and ensure safe elections next months.

It is difficult to fight Taliban on their soil. Bomb squads have found 60 bombs on the roadside. There has been one incident of suicide bombing and another teenage bomber was arrested. Battle lines are hardly defined in such battles.

This is going to be another bloody encounter with high casualties on both sides. Will this battle and war against terror ever end? Too many people have already died.

Via Telegraph.co.uk