Kandahar (Afghanistan), Mar 9 (AP) US Defence Secretary Robert Gates told a hard-hit battle unit today that its heavy losses have helped the US begin to push back against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan.

Gates visited a small, remote outpost 48 kilometres north of Kandahar, where the Fort Lewis, Washington-based Stryker unit has lost 22 men and suffered an additional 62 wounded since arriving here last summer.

The latest injuries came Monday night, and the latest death three days ago.

Gates praised the 800-soldier unit and told the troops that as the fight shifts toward securing Kandahar itself later this year, they will again be "at the top of the spear."

Gates flew to Kandahar early Tuesday for meetings with US and British generals overseeing the current military campaign in Marjah.