NATO commanders say they hope to secure the town of Marjah and its surroundings within days in the latest surge against the Taliban.

Some 15,000 US, British and Afghan soldiers advanced to secure the town, which had been a major stronghold for Taliban insurgents in the southern province of Helmand.

Officials said that the Taliban appeared to have scattered and were possibly waiting to regroup.

Initial satisfaction with advance

Commanders said they were satisfied with the first part of the operation aimed at restoring Afghan government power, despite being slowed down by the threat of explosive booby traps. It is hoped that local government and development aid can be quickly put into place.

"I can't yet say how long it will take for this military phase to get to the point where we can bring in the civilian support from the Afghan government," said NATO’s senior civilian representative Mark Sedwill. "We hope that will happen quickly."

British forces suffered their first fatality as part of the offensive when a soldier was killed in an explosion in the Nad-e-Ali district. One US soldier was killed and three others wounded in a suicide bomb attack on vehicles.

According to military sources, at least 20 Taliban fighters have been killed.

City and farmland stormed

The Pentagon confirmed in the early hours of Saturday morning that US and Afghan troops were participating in Operation Mushtarak. They stormed the town of Marjah and the surrounding farmland.

Up to 1,000 insurgents were thought to be sheltering in and around Marjah, and it was initially believed that the fighting could last for several weeks. However, the combined forces say they have encountered "minimal resistance" so far.

The assault is part of the NATO troop surge in Afghanistan - spearheaded by the US - which aims to improve the security situation and push back against a resurgent Taliban insurgency.

Leaflets to warn civilians

On Friday, helicopters dropped leaflets on the town and surrounding area, which has an estimated overall population of 125,000, warning people to stay indoors and not to let Taliban fighters into their homes.

NATO has openly discussed Operation Mushtarak in the days leading up to the offensive, with officials inviting more moderate members of the Taliban to flee or switch sides.

"The aim of the operation is also to make a point that the Afghan government can establish its authority whenever and wherever it wants," said NATO spokesman James Appathurai in Brussels on Wednesday.

French, British, Estonian, Canadian and Danish troops have also been mobilized to take part in the operation, claimed to be the biggest since the ousting of the Taliban regime in 2001.

On Wednesday, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle told parliament that Germany's military deployment in Afghanistan had been redefined legally as an "armed conflict." Previously, it had been termed a "robust stabilization mission."

rc/msh/dpa/Reuters/AFP/AP
Editor: Toma Tasovac