Rebels retreat as Afghan troops take Musa Qala

AFGHAN troops fought their way into the centre of southern Taliban stronghold Musa Qala yesterday but encountered only light resistance as the rebels melted away, officials and the militants said.

As British Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid a surprise visit to Helmand province, soldiers pushed into Musa Qala’s centre on day four of a major operation to retake the town.

“Our troops are in the centre of the town but the Taliban might be around,” said Afghan defence ministry spokesman General Mohammad Zahir Azimi.

Troops were clearing the area, his ministry said, adding that Taliban resistance had “crashed”.

A spokesman for theNATO-led International Security Assistance Force also said Afghan troops had entered Musa Qala, which was overrun by hundreds of rebels in early February.

The alliance said the international and Afghan troops were “consolidating their positions” and making “deliberate, appropriate and measured” progress.

Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi said the militants had retreated to prevent civilian deaths in air strikes.

Residents said militants, who earlier put their number at about 2,000, had left the town without putting up serious opposition.

Two international force soldiers, two children and an unknown number of militants have been killed in the advance on Musa Qala, which began on Friday.