NATO troops to launch offensive in Kandahar in June

London, Mar.30 (ANI): The NATO-led coalition in Afghanistan will launch a long-planned offensive in the southern city of Kandahar in June, military officials have said.

The Telegraph quoted a US military source as saying the goal was to rid the city of Taliban forces before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins in August.

US troops are already leading a massive operation in Marjah, in the neighbouring province of Helmand.

Extra troops ordered by US President Barack Obama have begun arriving.

Some 6,000 of the 30,000 additional forces assigned to Afghanistan in December have already arrived, with the rest expected in the coming months.

The officials - who spoke on condition of anonymity - said some 10,000 troops would be involved in the main thrust of the operation.

They said US troops were already working on securing transit routes and persuading leaders of districts surrounding Kandahar to co-operate with coalition forces. (ANI)