NATO troops launches major operation in S. Afghanistan

¡¡¡¡KABUL, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has launched a major operation in south Afghanistan on Tuesday, an ISAF statement said.

¡¡¡¡At the request of the Afghan government, ISAF and the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) launched Operation Achilles in the morning, an effort concentrated on the northern region of Helmand Province, the release added.

¡¡¡¡Operation Achilles will eventually involve over 4500 NATO troops and close to 1000 ANSF personnel, said Major-General Ton van Loon, Commander of Regional Command (South) in the statement.

¡¡¡¡It added the operation would focus on improving security in areas where Taliban extremists, narco-traffickers and other elements are trying to de-stabilize the Afghan government.

¡¡¡¡Two NATO soldiers from Britain were killed by Taliban militants in the province last week.

¡¡¡¡Skirmishes and militancy have left more than 400 people dead in Afghanistan this year.