ARGHANDAB, Afghanistan, June 18, SPA -- Afghan and Canadian forces moved into a series of villages outside of southernAfghanistan's largest city Wednesday to root out Taliban, officials said. Troops in Arghandab district just outside of Kandaharexchanged fire with militants during «a few minorcontacts, » NATO spokesman Mark Laity said. He said therehad been no reports of casualties. Helicopters and jets patrolled the skies and smoke rosefrom fields after exchanges of fire, an Associated Pressreporter at the scene said. A helicopter landed in a fieldnear the fighting and appeared to evacuate a casualty, hesaid. Large Canadian military vehicles and Afghan policetrucks were moving through the region. «As of this morning we've expanded operations intoArghandab,» Laity said. «Canadian troops are in supportof the ANA (Afghan National Army), and operations are underway.» Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense on Tuesday said between300 and 400 militant fighters were operating in Arghandab _a lush region of pomegranate and grape fields that lies 15kilometers (10 miles) northwest of Kandahar city. Canadian military officials who patrolled throughArghandab over the last day reported «no obvious signs»of insurgent activity. But that didn't mean there were noTaliban there, a NATO news release said. Pentagon officialssaid reports of hundreds of Taliban in Arghandab were beingoverstated. Still, local police say hundreds of farm families havefled, fearing upcoming military operations.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/566247