U.S. marines storm Taliban-held town

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Helicopter-borne U.S. marines backed by Harrier jets stormed into a strategic Taliban-held town in southern Afghanistan before dawn Wednesday, battling to gain control of the area ahead of next week's presidential elections.

Associated Press journalists travelling with the first wave said marines were met with small arms, mortar and rocket propelled grenade fire as they flew in helicopters over Taliban lines and dropped into the town. Fighting was still underway hours later, with U.S. marine Harrier jets streaking overhead and dropping flares in a show of force.

Other marines met heavy resistance as they fought to seize control of the mountains surrounding Dahaneh in the southern province of Helmand. Another convoy of marines rolled into the town despite roadside bomb attacks and gunfire.

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