In the last three months, fighting with Taliban raiders in the south has left 260 rebels, and 29 American troops, dead. Bands of Taliban gunmen, riding in pickup trucks and SUVs,  drive around country roads, shooting at troops and police, or trying to raid government offices. Some of these groups just drive around for a few days, not really making much of an impression, and then go back to their bases in Pakistan. But those that make contact, are soon being pursued by helicopter gunships, UAVs and bombers.