Afghan troops blunt Taliban offensive outside Helmand capital, officials say

LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Afghan government troops say they have fought Taliban forces to a standstill outside the capital of southern Helmand province, but the city remains surrounded after the insurgents launched one of their most brazen offensives.

A centre of illicit opium production as well as a traditional Taliban stronghold, Helmand has been one of the areas that suffered the most violence in the insurgents' battle to topple the Western-backed government in Kabul.