U.S. push resumes after bloody day

March 5 — U.S.-led forces resumed their ground assault on Taliban and al-Qaida fighters in Afghanistan’s eastern mountains on Tuesday, coming within 100 yards of opposition caves and bunkers, an Afghan commander said. Seven U.S. troops have been killed and at least 40 others wounded in the operation — the worst U.S. casualties to enemy fire in Afghanistan yet. The commander of the Afghan campaign said that the war had entered its most dangerous phase so far and that more casualties were likely.