ARGHANDAB, Afghanistan, June 17, SPA -- Afghan officials say Taliban militants are destroying bridges and planting mines inseveral villages they control outside southern Afghanistan's largest city. Police officer Sardah Mohammad says more than 700 families_ meaning perhaps 4, 000 people or more _ have fled theArghandab district, 10 miles (15 kilometers) northwest ofKandahar city. Police on Tuesday were stopping and searching every persontraveling on the east side of the Arghandab River, the Associated Press reported. Officials say that hundreds of Taliban have taken overseveral villages on the west side of the river. Mohammad says the militants are preparing for battle bydestroying bridges and planting mines. Afghan army officials said they were flying reinforcementsto Kandahar from the capital, Kabul. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/565916