War developments for Tuesday, Feb. 9

AFGHANISTAN

British toll tops Falklands

Three British soldiers have died in the south of Afghanistan, officials announced yesterday, raising Britain's toll in the conflict to 256, topping the number Britain lost in the Falklands war of 1982. The grim milestone was reached as British, American and Afghan forces prepared for a major attack on Marjah in Helmand province, the biggest town in the south under Taliban control. Two soldiers of the Royal Scots Borderers were killed Sunday in a blast near Sangin district, Helmand. A soldier working with a specialized bomb unit was killed in an explosion in Nad-e-Ali district, Helmand.

PAKISTAN

Attack on hotel thwarted

Six suspected Taliban militants were arrested with a suicide vest and hand grenades allegedly on their way yesterday to kill Americans at the five-star Pearl Continental hotel in Lahore, police said. The arrested included a 14-year-old boy and a prayer leader from the Khyber tribal area. The prayer leader's vest was packed with explosives.

BRITAIN

Bush officials to be quizzed?

LONDON (AP) - Britain's inquiry into the Iraq war will seek meetings with former members of the Bush administration after taking evidence from Tony Blair and other British officials, the panel's chairman said yesterday. John Chilcot did not name individuals, or specify whether his panel hopes to put questions to former President George W. Bush himself.