BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: A 12-day battle, it cost eight American lives. Allied forces say they have captured a key valley there in eastern Afghanistan, but the hunt for enemy fighters, as we have mentioned, is not yet over. Nic Robertson is near the front line.</s>NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In the last few hours, both U.S. and Afghan forces have taken control of Shah-e-Kot. The village spreads over an area of several square miles. Most of the mud-built buildings here have been heavily damaged by missiles. This village of Shah-e-Kot is where the Taliban and al Qaeda stronghold was. It was the focus also of Operation Anaconda. For now, at least, there appears to be no members of al Qaeda or Taliban here in this village. We have talked with both Afghan and U.S. commanders. They tell us as they have entered this area, they were aware that some al Qaeda and Taliban members fled towards the mountains, in the direction of Pakistan. Now, two different Afghan commanders, one coming from the north, one coming from the south, joined forces in this village several hours ago, with U.S. Special Forces coming from the mountains.</s>HEMMER: Robertson, near the front lines there. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Allies Take Key Afghan Valley