British Commandos Dot Not Participate In Operation Near Kandahar

The British commandos are not participating in the operation near Kandahar started by the US Marines, a military source in the British capital said. According to him, the landing of US Marines near Kandahar is part of the general plan earlier evolved by the command of the antiterrorist operation with the participation of representatives of the Defence Ministry of Great Britain. This plan provides for setting up strong points in different regions of Afghanistan to ensure security of communications, to carry out reconnaissance, to deliver pinpoint strikes on installations of the Taliban and Al Qaeda, and to capture or eliminate its leaders, first of all Osama bin Laden. The landing of more than 100 British commandos in the area of the Bagram air base two weeks ago was an element of the plan, the source noted. Officials of the Defence Ministry of Great Britain confirmed on Monday that several thousand British servicemen are in the state of 48-hour readiness for being lifted to Afghanistan.