Taliban Rejects NATO Claims About Mujahideen Casualties

Taliban Sunday, Sept. 10, said that only 14 Taliban fighters were martyred (Shahideen, insha Allah) during the eight-day long Medusa operation in Panjwai district of Kandahar province. While terming the ongoing Medusa operation in Kandahar a propaganda operation,

Taliban spokesman Qari Muhammad Yousaf said, "This all is a face to face fighting and during the whole operation our 14 fighters lost their lives. However, 50 NATO and ANA soldiers were killed during the operation and their (NATO and puppets) 15 military vehicles were destroyed. Taliban tactically retreated in Pashmul and Sufid Rawan areas while NATO forces bring out civilians of the area from their homes and shot them dead for the alleged support and assistance of Taliban fighters" Qari added.

While replying to a question Taliban spokesman said, "Taliban still present in the Panjwai and Zari". NATO claimed killing of more than 400 Taliban fighters during the eight-day long Medusa operation of Panjwai and Zari districts. Locals of the area reported killing of several civilians during the ongoing operation.