US-supported troops kill eight suspected Taliban

US-BACKED Afghan troops killed eight suspected Taliban and captured 15 others in fighting against extremists holed up in the Torghar mountains of southern Afghanistan, the US military said yesterday.

Pro-government militia forces mounted a fresh offensive nearby.

“Afghan militia forces accompanied by a US Special Forces detachment cleared the areas of Torghar mountains yesterday,” Colonel Roger King told reporters at Bagram Air Base 50km north of Kabul.