US Marines battle Taliban in Afghan offensive

Nawa: US Marines took fire from small pockets of militants after landing in this Taliban-controlled southern region in the first major operation under President Barack Obama's strategy to stabilize Afghanistan.

The military announced that one Marine was killed and several others were injured or wounded throughout the day.

The southern offensive was launched on Thursday.

Thousands of Marines poured from helicopters and armored vehicles into Taliban-controlled villages in Helmand province, a Taliban stronghold.