DATE=9/5/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-307183

TITLE=AFGHAN FIGHTING (S)

BYLINE=MICHAEL KITCHEN

DATELINE=HONG KONG

CONTENT=

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INTRO: Afghan and U-S coalition troops have announced a key victory against forces loyal to Afghanistan's former Taleban regime. V-O-A's Michael Kitchen reports.

TEXT: The U-S military says between 72 and a hundred Taleban fighters were killed during the past week of operation "Mountain Viper."

The operation took place around the mountain town of Daichopan in southeastern Zabul Province.

A U-S military spokesman says the coalition used jet and helicopter strikes to support their attacks.

The operation, which began August 30th is continuing in the area, with Afghan troops and U-S Special Forces and mountain units seeking to flush out large numbers of suspected Taleban loyalists.

The Taleban was ousted from power in 2001 by a U-S led war on terrorists in Afghanistan. The Taleban had given refuge to the head of the al-Qaida terrorist network, Osama bin Laden. (Signed)

NEB/HK/MK/JO/KBK