U S-led coalition says killed 25 more Taliban rebels

KABUL, June 24 (Reuters) U S-led forces killed 25 Taliban rebels during a raid in southern Afghanistan, the U S military said today, raising the number of insurgents killed to more than 50 over the past three days.

Afghanistan is suffering its worst spell of violence since US-led forces toppled the Taliban in 2001 and comes ahead of NATO troops taking over control in the violent south from the United States.

The US-led coalition last week announced a major offensive, codenamed ''Operation Mountain Thrust'', to push deep into the southern heartland of the Taliban.

The coalition and Afghan forces attacked ''a large group of extremists'' in the Zharie district of Kandahar province yesterday and killed 25 rebels in a battle that lasted three hours, a U.S.

military statement said.

Coalition troops also fought a five-hour battle with about 40 Taliban fighters in neighbouring Uruzgan province. The statement, however, did not say whether there were any casualties from either side.

The Taliban were not immediately available for comment, but have rejected reports of big losses in recent weeks.

The US military has said coalition troops had killed about 31 Taliban insurgents in the southern region on Thursday and Wednesday.

The rebels have stepped up attacks this year in their southern and eastern heartland where they enjoy considerable support from locals.

Local politicians have recently voiced concern over the deteriorating security situation in the south despite the presence of foreign forces, saying rebels are expanding their influence in several parts of the restive region.

More than 1,000 people, including more than 40 foreign soldiers, have died this year. Around 400 people were killed in May alone.

REUTERS SBA HT1318