HELMAND: British Marines have cleared a Taliban stronghold, killing 15 extremists, after three days of fierce fighting.

And other clashes in the region saw Nato and Afghan forces kill another seven insurgents.

More than 300 British troops were involved in the operation around a hydroelectric dam in the Kajaki district, which has been the target of several Taliban attacks.

Provincial police chief Ghulam Nabi Malakhail said 15 Taliban fighters were killed in three days of fighting.

British troops were attacked with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades, and had to call in attack helicopters for air support.

Elsewhere, fighting in the Musa Qala district of Helmand province killed seven Taliban militants, including a commander.

Nato and Afghan forces suffered no casualties during the operation.