Herat, May 31

Troops killed 12 Taliban linked to a battle with US troops earlier this month that caused scores of civilian casualties, officials

said today.

Afghan and US forces raided late Saturday a group of militants said to have gathered to plan an attack in Farah. The raid was in the district of Khaki Safed which adjoins Bala Buluk, where heavy fighting between insurgents and troops in early May led the soldiers to call in air strikes that killed villagers.