Opium farmers battle soldiers

The first day of Afghanistan's new push to eradicate opium production exploded into violence, as soldiers and police battled with farmers for control of their narcotic crops.

The fields around Maiwand in Kandahar became the backdrop to fierce firefights, as hundreds of Afghan workers tried to destroy blooms before harvest time.

Dense clouds of black smoke hung over the town from burning barricades, hundreds of shots rang out from gun battles, and American helicopter gunships flew low overhead. By the end of Tuesday, four Government soldiers had been wounded by farmers, American contractors controlling the operation were sheltering behind razor wire in a protected camp and Afghan police and counter-narcotics forces were said to have killed five locals.

It was the worst start imaginable to a Government plan designed to show the West its intent to bring opium production under control.

The anti-poppy force had driven out of Kandahar two days earlier in a motley collection of Jeeps and trucks bristling with firepower.

Maiwan had been targeted first for eradication because it was regarded as a relatively peaceful area with effective Government control - the hard cases are yet to be tackled.

As the convoy neared its destination, there were hints at the reception the force was going to get.

The first sign of trouble was the pall of black smoke from burning tyres pulled across the road, blocking it to traffic. Imposing men in turbans could be seen standing next to them.

As those in the convoy wondered whether to chance the blockade, a driver speeding out of town leant out of the car window and shouted in English: "Don't go in there or you'll never come out again." As he vanished at high speed into the distance, dozens of shots rang out.

Local people told us to go no further, and a passing police commander ordered three of his men to guard us. After the battles had ended, one of our guards said the combat had been so fierce it must have been the Taleban helping farmers to fight back.

- INDEPENDENT