Britain hails success of bold offensive against Taliban

Britain is praising the end of a bold offensive against Taliban militants in southern Afghanistan, calling the first phase of \"Panther\'s Claw\" a success, according to a report on www.voanews.com.



Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the efforts of British forces in Helmand province were \"heroic.\" British troops suffered a dramatic rise in deaths since launching the operation in late June.



British officials say the goal now is to hold the territory along the traditional Taliban stronghold in villages north of the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah.



At least 20 British troops have been killed since late June, raising doubts at home about the country\'s involvement in the Afghan war. 189 British soldiers have been killed since the U.S. led mission to oust the Taliban in 2001.



Operation \"Panther\'s Claw\" was followed up by a U.S. led Marine operation in the same region, called \"Strike of the Sword.\" Foreign troops are trying to stabilize regions plagued by insurgent violence ahead of elections in Afghanistan set for August 20.