Two US soldiers Killed in Eastern Afghanistan

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  This is Day 3 of the biggest assault of the eight year war in Afghanistan.  Two US soldiers and up to 32 militants died in fighting in eastern Afghanistan today. 

The US military said that two soldiers were killed and four others wounded in an explosion in the Eastern Province of Paktika, which borders on Pakistan.  Government troops are locked in battles with militant groups.

Air support was called in after the explosion and up to 32 militants were killed in the ensuing battle.  This number has not been confirmed.

Hamidullah Zhwak, a spokesman for the local Afghan administration, said the US casualties were caused when Taliban insurgents blew up a fuel tanker in front of a local government building in the district of Zirok.

"After the blast, American helicopters came in and attacked the Taliban who were preparing to attack the district headquarters," he said.

"Thirty-two Taliban were killed," Zhwak said, adding that 32 dead bodies were recovered after a two-hour battle erupted between armed militants and US helicopter gunships following the initial explosion.

"After the blast, American helicopters came in and attacked the Taliban who were preparing to attack the district headquarters," he said.

Eight other militants were injured and captured by troops, Zhwak said.

President Obama has made Afghanistan the centrepiece of his foreign policy.  21,000 US troops have been reassigned from Iraq to Afghanistan.