PAKTIKA, Afghanistan, May 19 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Ten U.S. soldiers were killed and three personnel carriers destroyed during an operation carried out by Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda network in this mountainous area in southeastern Afghanistan near the Pakistani borders, al-Qaeda sources told IslamOnline.net.

“The leader of Mujahdeen Abol Hassan formed two groups of Mujahdeen…The first one consists of seven Mujahdeen, while the second of nine people. They moved on foot at 11 p.m. on Friday, May 16, towards the U.S. troops stationed at Bermel,” one of the fighters, who took part in the operation, told IOL on condition of anonymity.

He said the first group, carrying semiautomatic guns and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), stationed near a U.S. post to strike it in broad daylight, while the second one stood ready to shot down at U.S. Apache helicopters with SAM anti-aircraft missiles.

“The attack group arrived to the post before dawn broke and after a five-hour walk…They slept till 10 a.m. until they were awakened by the sound of U.S. Apaches, mortars and gunfire,” he said.

The source said the fighters launched a SAM at one of the helicopters but it missed its target an shortly afterwards a U.S. patrol combed the area in search for other fighters.

“Six of Mujahdeen withdrew from the battle field according the plan, while three others kept to their positions armed with hand grenades and RPGs…They hid from the U.S. soldiers behind trees.

“Once they saw two U.S. personnel carriers, they hurled six hand grenades on them and opened their semiautomatic guns on the soldiers, leaving five of them killed and partially destroyed the two carriers, while other soldiers too to their heels,” he added.

The source, however, said one of the fighters was killed in the battle and others wounded.

“Wounded as they were, they were determined to carry the martyr and laid him to rest in one of mountains in Paktika (southeastern Afghanistan),” he continued.

“When we woke up, we saw two U.S. armored vehicles and a Datsun approaching towards us and we set an ambush to them. As the Datsun inched closer, we shoot, hurled grenades and fired an RPG, killing five soldiers and completely destroying the car,” he said.

“The two armored vehicles, unfortunately, manage to escape, but the Mujahdeen seized the M-16 guns of the U.S. soldiers.”

The source further said three U.S. helicopters landed in the area to scour for al-Qaeda fighters, but the fighters made their way to their positions, thanks to the bushy jungles that kept them away form the eyes of the U.S. soldiers.