Taliban Claims 36 British Soldiers Killed in Helmand Battle

The Taliban claimed in a statement posted on the Internet that 36 British soldiers were killed and four tanks destroyed during a nine-hour battle in the area of Alizy in the district of Helmand.

The statement claimed the battle started when "enemy" forces attacked militant centers in the neighboring villages. Only one member of the Taliban was killed and three were injured, according to the statement.

At the end of the statement, phone numbers of two Taliban spokespersons supervising different areas were posted, including their cell phones.