A strong Taliban force attacked a coalition base in Halmand province of Afghanistan shortly after midnight using mortars, rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms. 

In retaliation, US aircraft dropped 3 500-pound bombs and 2 1000-pound bombs. They followed that up with high-explosive rockets, guided missiles, and incendiary rounds killing 12 terrorists initially and 20 more in another engagement early morning.

1 US and 1 Canadian soldier died and 4 coalition soldiers and 1 Afghan soldier were injured in the attack. This is the largest attack on a coalition base in several months. Two weeks ago, the Taliban had promised a wave of attacks in spring and this seems to be the first.

The Taliban was a much-hated group in and outside Afghanistan (the only exception was probably Pakistan and Saudi Arabia) and was never recognized by most countries. During their reign, the population, especially women suffered tremendously. There were no employment opportunities for men and women were not allowed to work. Further, women were not allowed to study “secular subjects” like physics, chemistry, etc. Irrespective of their qualifications, women had to wear a Purdha and stay at home. Their claim to fame was the destruction of 2000-year-old Buddha statues at Bamian. Captured Taliban terrorists say that the destruction of these Bamian Buddha statues was a practice run for the destruction of the Twin Towers on 9/11. They also burnt down all libraries and killed any female teacher who ventured to teach girls.

While women have not yet achieved the same level of status and freedom as men, under Afghan President Hamid Karzai, the situation is a lot better.