200 Taliban Killed in Afghanistan

NATO and Afghan forces in southern Afghanistan killed over 200 Taliban fighters in an operation that began during the weekend, NATO officials said Sunday.

The spokesman said Operation Medusa, involving 2,000 Afghan and NATO soldiers, began Saturday in the Panjwayi area of Kandahar province.

The initiative, described as the largest offensive in the country since NATO replaced the U.S.-led coalition at the end of July, had special emphasis on driving out the insurgents so Afghans in Panjwayi district can return to their homes and orchards that sustained their livelihoods, the spokesman said.

A British reconnaissance plane crashed in the area Saturday, killing all 14 on board. Britain has denied a Taliban claim the plane was shot down, saying the cause appears to be technical.