By DPA
Amsterdam : Dutch Colonel Nico Geerts Monday said the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was preparing “a special operation” in the Baluchi valley in the Afghan province of Oruzghan.
In an interview with Dutch radio station BNR, which had been screened by defence ministry here, the commander said “a special anti-Taliban operation” was in the making.
Geerts added the planned operation would be part of a larger operation in Oruzghan province.
In June, Dutch and Afghan military fought a heavy battle against hundreds of Taliban fighters in the valley.
Geerts denied reports that thousands of Taliban had taken over the Deh Rawod region. The Dutch colonel said merely “several tens of Taliban fighters” were active in the area.
Some 1,665 Dutch troops are stationed in the Oruzghan province as part of a larger NATO mission to Afghanistan.
The mission that began in August 2006 was originally planned for two years. In October the Dutch are due to decide whether or not to extend the mission beyond August 2008.