US forces kill 14 in Afghan raid, warn on border

KABUL, June 30 (Reuters) US-led forces in Afghanistan killed 14 gunmen today in an attack on a Taliban safe house in an eastern province, while eight militants were detained in a raid in the south, the U.S. military said.

The US military has in recent weeks stepped up operations aimed at stemming the worst Taliban violence since the hardline Islamists were ousted in 2001 for refusing to give up Osama bin Laden.

US forces also tightened security on the southern border with Pakistan today, warning people not to cross through unofficial points and not to shelter Taliban, witnesses said.

''Afghan and coalition forces continue to attack and overpower terrorists, conducting operations simultaneously in both the eastern and southern provinces,'' the US military said in a statement.

The recent surge of violence, most of it in the south and east, has killed about 1,100 people, including about 50 foreign troops since January.

It comes as NATO prepares to take over security duties in the south from US-led forces in what is set to be the alliance's toughest ever ground mission.

The commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan said yesterday the international community had underestimated a resurgent Taliban in the Afghan south, partly because the war in Iraq diverted attention and resources.

A known Taliban safe house was attacked in Nuristan province in the east after men with rifles and rocket-propelled grenades were spotted heading there, the US military said.

In another incident, one suspected militant was killed in a raid in Kandahar province to the south, where the eight suspects were arrested, it said.

''These individuals have actively planned and carried out attacks on Afghan and coalition forces in Kandahar and Helmand provinces,'' the US military said.

In another sign of intensified operations, U.S.-led troops handed out leaflets in the town of Spin Boldak on the Pakistani border telling people military operations were going on and they should not cross the border illegally.

The border has numerous unofficial crossing points.

''Don't use illegal ways to cross the border. It may land you in trouble,'' another town resident, Baraat Khan, quoted the troops as saying.

A shopkeeper in the town, Mohammad Naeem, quoted the troops as also telling residents not to give refuge to Taliban or they risked their houses getting damaged in attacks.

''Don't give them food or shelter,'' Naeem said, quoting the coalition troops, who spoke through interpreters.

''This is a strict warning,'' Naeem cited the troops as saying.

REUTERS SHB ND1818