U.S. and Afghan forces conducting a sweep in a mountain area south of the capital exchanged fierce fire with suspected Taliban rebels, killing 17 and capturing 16 in some of the heaviest fighting in months, officials said Tuesday. A spokeswoman for the American military, Lt. Cindy Moore, confirmed that American air and ground forces were involved in fighting Monday in the mountains of southern Zabul province, and that a U.S. helicopter that developed mechanical problems was forced to make a "precautionary landing." She said there were no American casualties and the helicopter quickly returned to base.
