Afghan and NATO forces are moving in on Musa Qala in southern Helmand province as part of an operation to retake control of the town from the Taliban.
Afghanistan's Defense Ministry says the joint force of mostly British and Afghan troops are advancing on the town Sunday, and already have captured two senior Taliban commanders.
Taliban sources say insurgents have taken strong positions inside Musa Qala in preparation for the assault.
Afghan defense officials say ground forces killed 12 militants at the start of the operation late Friday. Two children and a British soldier were also killed in the fighting.
Taliban militants overran Musa Qala in February, after British troops withdrew and handed over security responsibilities to local elders.
In Kabul Sunday, British Defense Secretary Des Browne met with Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak before flying to the western city of Herat.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
