Kabul, April 19, SPA -- U.S. and Afghan forcesconducting a sweep in a mountain area south of the capitalexchanged fierce fire with suspected Taliban rebels,killing 17 and capturing 16 in some of the heaviestfighting in months, officials said Tuesday. A spokeswoman for the American military, Lt. Cindy Moore,confirmed that American air and ground forces were involvedin fighting Monday in the mountains of southern Zabulprovince, and that a U.S. helicopter that developedmechanical problems was forced to make a "precautionarylanding." She said there were no American casualties and thehelicopter quickly returned to base.--SPA1437 Local Time 1137 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/255875