An Afghan human rights group said today that at least 88 people, including 20 women, were killed in a joint Afghan-US coalition military operation in western Afghanistan.

US-led troops attacked a compound where Taliban leaders were meeting in western Afghanistan, killing 30 militants, American and Afghan military officials said today.

US TROOPS yesterday launched a battle for Saddam Hussein’s last stronghold of Tikrit, with hundreds of tanks said to be attacking the northern city despite a surrender offer by tribal leaders.