London: British troops killed over 7,000 Taliban fighters in the last two years in Afghanistan, but are now planning to scale down the attacks as heavy casualty only adds to the popularity of the insurgents among the locals.

According to a report in The Sunday Times, the paratroopers of 16 Air Assault Brigade killed at least 1,000 Taliban during their first deployment to Helmand province in 2006. Since then another 6,000 Taliban insurgents have been killed by British troops, the report said quoting sources.

The paratroopers commanders hope they can cut the deaths, which they fear are a boost for the Taliban when fighters recruited from the local population are killed, as the dead insurgent's family then feels a debt of honour to take up arms against British soldiers.

The resultant fighting raises the profile of the Taliban and enhances their reputation in the local community.
Source : PTI