British, Afghan forces attack Taliban site

KABUL, Afghanistan, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- An attack by British and Afghan troops on the Taliban-controlled town of Musa Qala in Afghanistan has left 14 people dead.

The BBC reported Saturday that since the joint military force launched an assault on the town, 12 Taliban militants and two children have been killed.

While the militants were directly involved in the battle with the approaching forces, the two children were killed as Taliban troops were caught attempting to flee the town inside a convoy of civilians, the British network reported.

Meanwhile, Taliban forces inside have sworn to protect the northern Helmand Province town to the last man.

"We have orders from our commanders to fight to the death," Taliban commander Mullah Ahmad Muslim told The Telegraph from inside the town.

"They have strong weapons. We don't. They have aircraft. We don't. They have tanks. We don't. Musa Qala will be remembered by history."

A spokesman for the NATO-led force said that the military operation is proceeding as planned.