More than 400 Taliban killed since spring, commander says

(CNN) -- U.S. Marines deployed in southern Afghanistan since the spring have killed more than 400 insurgents, have eliminated insurgent positions and strongholds, and are stabilizing the region, a commander said Wednesday.

Col. Peter Petronzio, the commander of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, spoke about the fight against the Taliban in the Helmand province region of Garmsir.

"The Taliban proved that they wanted to fight for Garmsir, and we took the fight to them, inflicted very serious casualties," Petronzio said.

After speaking with a local official, Petronzio concluded that the number of slain insurgents "is somewhere beyond 400."

Helmand is an important front in the war against the Taliban. It is considered the world's largest opium poppy growing region and that trade has helped fund insurgent activities.

The battle is going on amid a recent increase in violence across Afghanistan. In May and June there were more coalition deaths in Afghanistan than in Iraq. Watch how Taliban fighters have changed tactics »

Forty-six coalition troops died in Afghanistan last month compared with 31 in Iraq, making June the deadliest month for coalition and American troops since the start of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001.

"It has been a tough month in Afghanistan, but it's also been a tough month for the Taliban," President Bush said last week.

Petronzio said Marine counterinsurgency operations have been taking place in Garmsir since April 28. He said for most of May, Marines held a key route east of the Helmand River in the northern part of Garmsir District.

"Insurgents occupied the area between the river and the Marine positions," he said. "In late May, the Marines pushed south [from their northern position] and west to clear out the remaining insurgent strongholds in the area."

He said Marines have had "regular contact" with Afghans since the insurgent strongholds were eliminated.

"I wouldn't say that Garmsir is secure, but it is stable. We are continuing to clear the area. Insurgents are still there but they are not engaging with us as they once did," he said, saying the Marines are on "high alert" for attacks.

Petronzio described Garmsir as a region with a "self-reliant and resilient population," a region with fertile land and a district governor who is respected by the citizenry and tribal elders.

He said Marines continue to conduct security patrols and "are also conducting census patrols where they are determining the makeup of the community -- the leaders, the workers, the ones who don't belong."

"One of the big projects we are trying to work on here in the upcoming week is getting the school back open," said Marine Lt. Brian Cage.

The Taliban militants are also competing for hearts and minds, with their own information operations campaign and tactics intended to frustrate their foes.

Marines note that the Taliban frequently take sanctuary in bordering Pakistan and return when fighting is over. They have the ability to meld into the local population.

"They are observing us," said Marine Capt. Sean Dynan. "They are amongst the populace."

The fact that coalition troops are foreigners is believed to be a selling point for Taliban militants attempting to attract recruits.

The Marines of the 24th Expeditionary Unit were scheduled to leave Afghanistan in October but last week were ordered to stay for another month.

Marine units typically serve seven months in a war zone before coming home -- less than the 12 to 15 months Army soldiers have been serving in Afghanistan and Iraq -- but Marine units spend less time at home than Army units before going back into battle.

CNN's Nic Robertson in London contributed to this report.

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