Approximately 300 US soldiers were killed Thursday in a combined para and ground offensive in Kandahar province. Iranian and Pakistani news sources have confirmed the killings though quoting the number of killed at around 200. The soldiers of Allah went to meet them and several dozens of them were killed whilst actually airborne in their parachutes. The remainder combined with several hundred ground troops in a coordinate offensive on Mujahideen positions around Kandahar. One of the reasons for this defeat is that the morale of the American troops remains extremely low since they are not accustomed to the harsh Afghan climate and live in a perpetual state of fear from Mujahideen guerilla attacks and ambushes. Due to heavy losses of American lives over the last few days, President Bush announced last week that America must be prepared for heavy casualties, without disclosing the numbers of troops killed until now.

British Muslim Sister Kills Two American Troops in Martyrdom Operation In Mazar-i-Sharif, a Muslim sister from Britain detonated explosives wrapped around her waist in a martyrdom operation, killing two American and four Alliance troops. She had been captured by Alliance troops and was being taken in car with American soldiers for interrogation, when she detonated a belt of explosives strapped around her waist. Her captors did not discover the belt thinking she was pregnant. Her blood brother was seriously injured in this operation.

The Taliban Governor of Kandahar, Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Uthmani, said that there was law and order in the four provinces still under the control of the Taliban, namely Kandahar, Helmand, Uruzgan and Zabul. He said that reports of looting etc. in these provinces were baseless and propaganda against the Taliban. "We have the faith in the assistance of Allah (SWT) and with His assistance and His blessing, insha-Allah, we will soon be victorious. The withdrawal of the other provinces was part of our strategy and the world will soon be shocked at our plan." Dispelling rumours of divisions within the Taliban ranks, Mullah Uthmani said that there was complete unity in the Taliban ranks and that they were as organised as before. "We are still under the control of the Amir-ul-Mumineen (Mullah Umar) and we will continue the Jihad under his command." he vowed.

- Markazdawa