US and Afghan forces have wound up a bloody offensive in south Afghanistan but failed to find the Taleban leaders they hoped had been surrounded. Afghan officials say more than 100 Taleban fighters were killed in Zabul province in one of the biggest operations for two years. However, at least two top Taleban leaders radio intercepts suggested were present had not been traced. A Taleban spokesman had denied any leaders had been surrounded. US military spokesman, Lt Col Jerry O\'Hara, told the AFP news agency: \"It looks like the fighting has certainly died off and whatever enemy forces that were in the area that we didn\'t kill or capture might have fled.\" Earlier reports had placed Mullah Dadullah and Mullah Brader - both of whom are said to be close to Taleban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar - at the heart of the fighting. But the Afghan interior ministry said on Friday there was no confirmation of their presence - or of three other leading commanders. Ministry spokesman, Lutfullah Mashal, said: \"Most of the terrorists have been killed, but a few escaped across the border into Pakistan.\" However, Mr Mashal said the operation had still been a success. \"Their backbone has been broken. They will no longer be able to attack in a co-ordinated way,\" he said. The four-day operation had targeted what the US military called Taleban \"safe havens\" in mountainous regions. Most of the fighting took place in the Daychopan district of Zabul province, near the border with Kandahar province. Afghan police commander Gen Salim Khan said eight Afghan security force members had died. The US military said five US soldiers had been wounded. The US put the number of Taleban dead at 54 with 22 captured. Taleban spokesman, Latifullah Hakimi, said the commanders had not been surrounded and the number of dead had been exaggerated. \"Mullah Dadullah and Mullah Brader are safe and sound. This is all just propaganda,\" he said. (BBC)