Marines link up in Afghan Taliban stronghold

MARJAH, Afghanistan - Marines moving by land from the north linked up yesterday with U.S. units that have faced nearly constant Taliban attack in the four days since they were dropped by helicopter into this insurgent stronghold in southern Afghanistan.

U.S. artillery fired nonlethal smoke rounds to disperse Taliban fighters in Marjah, the first time cannons have been used in the fight to drive the militants from their logistical and opium poppy-smuggling base. Commanders refused a Marine request to fire deadly high-explosive rounds because of the risk to civilians.

Meanwhile, U.S. and Pakistani officials said Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the group's No. 2 leader behind Afghan Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar and a close associate of Osama bin Laden, was captured in Karachi. The arrest appeared to have occurred as many as 10 days ago, and it was unclear whether it had any effect on the Marjah battle.

The linkup between the two Marine rifle companies and their Afghan army partners will enable the United States to expand its control in Marjah, situated in Helmand province 380 miles southwest of Kabul.

Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, moved through fields of hidden bombs and bobby traps and braved sniper fire to join up with the same battalion's Kilo Company.

A Taliban spokesman claimed that insurgents retain control of the town and that coalition forces who "descended from helicopters in limited areas of Marjah" were now "under siege."

Spokesman Tariq Ghazniwal extended an invitation by e-mail to foreign journalists to visit Marjah, saying the trip would "show who have the upper hand in the area."

About 15,000 NATO and Afghan troops are taking part in the big offensive around Marjah, which has about 80,000 inhabitants and was the largest southern town under Taliban control. NATO hopes to rush in aid and public services as soon as the town is secured to try to win the loyalty of the population.

A top Taliban commander, Mullah Abdul Razaq Akhund, dismissed the offensive, saying on the group's Web site that Marjah was militarily insignificant.

NATO said a service member taking part in the operation was killed by a roadside bomb yesterday, the third confirmed death among international forces since the attack began. Afghan military spokesman Lt. Mohammad Esah said one Afghan soldier died in the offensive.

U.S. officials said Taliban resistance in Marjah seemed more disorganized yesterday than in previous days.

Three more Afghan civilians were killed in the assault, NATO forces said, highlighting the toll on the population from an offensive aimed at making civilians safer.