U.S., allies battle suspected Taliban, al Qaeda
No coalition casualties reported in six-to-seven-hour firefight
From Barbara Starr
CNN Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. and coalition military forces engaged in a six-to-seven-hour firefight Monday with suspected Taliban or al Qaeda members, the largest conflict in Afghanistan since Operation Anaconda and the fight at Tora Bora, Pentagon sources said.
Initial reports indicate that no U.S. or coalition forces were killed or wounded.
The firefight took place near the eastern Afghan city of Spin Boldak, a region known to harbor Taliban and al Qaeda sympathizers.
U.S. troops went to the area late Monday, following the directions of a suspect they had captured earlier in the day. They encountered a force estimated to be between 70 and 100 people, sources said.
Aircraft called to the scene dropped precision munitions.
The conflict marked the heaviest fighting in Afghanistan since Operation Anaconda in March 2002 and Tora Bora in December 2001.
An offensive designed to rout Taliban and al Qaeda fighters in eastern Afghanistan, Operation Anaconda lasted more than two weeks. U.S. and allied forces killed more than 500 Taliban and al Qaeda members during the operation.
The Tora Bora conflict also took place in eastern Afghanistan and lasted about two weeks. The Eastern Alliance, a force of anti-Taliban fighters, led the assault, with support from U.S. bombers and other aircraft.
