Thursday, March 30 2006 10:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kandahar (Afghanistan): Taliban rebels launched a major, brazen attack on a coalition military base in Afghanistan, killing a US and a Canadian soldier but losing 32 of their own in an American-led retaliation.

The fighting yesterday in the country's south was the deadliest in months and reflected a growing intensity of militant attacks after the Taliban warned of a renewed offensive this year.

At least 3,000 British troops are preparing to take control of the volatile area.

"Over the last five or six weeks there have been various proven attacks, mainly at night by the Taliban on that base, but I think it is fair to say this is the largest we have seen thus far," British spokesman Col. Chris Vernon told reporters in Kandahar.

"The battle erupted yesterday after Taliban insurgents ambushed an Afghan supply convoy returning to the forward operating base, killing eight Afghan soldiers, " Vernon said.

US and British planes and helicopters were called in for air support and a Canadian quick reaction force was sent from Kandahar to the base.

The base came under a 'significant Taliban attack,' yesterday morning during which the Canadian and American soldiers were killed, Vernon said.

At least five coalition forces were wounded, including three Canadians and a US soldier, officials said. At least 12 Taliban militants also were killed.

Coalition aircraft and artillery were used to repel the Taliban forces, who fled into the desert. At least 20 militants were killed during the chase and two compounds at a Taliban base were destroyed, the US military said.