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SLUG: 2-287067 Afghan / Pentagon
DATE: NOTE NUMBER: |
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DATE=03/02/02 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=AFGHAN/PENTAGON (S ONLY) NUMBER=2-287067 BYLINE= ALEX BELIDA DATELINE=PENTAGON INTERNET=YES CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: One American soldier has been killed and an unspecified number of others wounded in fighting against al-Qaida and Taleban forces regrouping in eastern Afghanistan. V-O-A Pentagon Correspondent Alex Belida reports at least two allied Afghan soldiers have also been killed. TEXT: U-S military officials say the casualties occurred in a coalition offensive against al-Qaida and Taleban fighters who had been regrouping south of Gardez in eastern Afghanistan. The assault began late Friday and is continuing. A military spokesman says the attack is being carried out mainly by U-S-backed Afghan forces. The spokesman gives no other details. But word of the assault follows the disclosure by a top military spokesman on Friday that U-S forces had been monitoring a build-up of hundreds of hostile forces in the area. The fighting underscores the Pentagon's assertion that the war against terrorism in Afghanistan is far from over. (Signed) NEB/BEL/MEM |
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