US-led coalition troops killed more than 130 Taliban fighters in Afghanistan over the past several days, the coalition claimed today.
Backed by air support, the Taliban were killed in two separate battles in the western province of Herat, the US military said.
Herat, bordering Iran, had been relatively safe until recently compared with the south and east, where the Taliban are most active.
Both battles were in the Zerkoh valley, south of Shindand district, where foreign troops have a large base.
A total of 87 Taliban fighters were killed during a 14-hour battle with US-led troops and Afghan forces yesterday. Another 49 Taliban were killed two days earlier after a group of Taliban fired at a joint coalition and Afghan patrol in another part of the valley.
The reported Taliban losses would be the heaviest yet this year following last year's bloodiest fighting since the Taliban's ouster from power in 2001.
Violence has surged in recent weeks after the traditional winter lull, and hundreds, including about 30 foreign troops, have been killed this year. Almost 4,000 people died last year.