Kabul,July 03 (QNA) - The U S Marines and the Afghani troops continued their operations in Helmand region in southern Afghanistan, on the second day of the biggest American military offensive, faced by a little resistance by Taliban fighters, according to Western sources. The U S militaryspokesman, Cap.Bell Pelletier, said that the Marines managed to move into Taliban strongholds, which previously had not been entered by any foreign troops.The operation, according to the captain, aimed at winning over local chiefs, and responding to their needs, other than killing Taliban fighters.A Marine was killed and several others were wounded,Thursday, following a fighting in a targeted area cultivating opium crops ,an essential financial source for Taliban fighters . Meanwhile, Paktia deputy governor, Bismillah mangal, said that four workers were killed by a road sidebomb. The American Defense Ministry (The Pentagon) continue deploying 21 additional troops to pave the way for the Afghani presidential election, totaling the number to 68,000 at the end of the current year. This offensive may facilitate participation by southern provinces which include Hamid Karzai''s tribe, The Pashtun, on whom the Afghani president depend to win the election. (QNA)