Taliban incursion raises many concerns

"We don't have a definitive assessment, though casualties were inflicted," said NATO spokesman Mark Laity.

Taliban commanders acknowledged only six fighters killed.

The fighting is expected to reignite tensions with Pakistan, which Afghan leaders have accused of granting shelter to Taliban fighters.

Kandahar lies 60 miles from the frontier, and Afghanistan's south and east, which borders Pakistan's semiautonomous tribal areas, are riddled with infiltration routes.

The governor of Kandahar province, Asadullah Khalid, said many in the Taliban force in Arghandab came from Pakistan, including some who answer to Baitullah Mahsud, the head of the Pakistani Taliban movement who is based in the South Waziristan tribal area.

On Sunday, Afghan President Hamid Karzai threatened to send troops into Pakistan to target insurgents who travel freely back and forth across the frontier.

A spokesman later said the president was trying to convey the urgency of the threat emanating from Pakistan rather than warning of imminent attack.

The comments, however, were seen as an indication of Karzai's frustration as the stubborn Taliban insurgency continues to damage his domestic standing.

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laura.king@latimes.com

Special correspondent Faiez reported from Kabul and Times staff writer King from Istanbul, Turkey.