Kabul: Military helicopters dropped leaflets over a southern Afghan town today as radio broadcasts warned residents not to shelter Taliban ahead of a massive assault against the militants, an official said.
Thousands of US Marines, along with Afghan and NATO soldiers have thrown a ring of steel around Marjah, a town of 80,000 in Helmand province just 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah.
They are expected to launch an assault, called Operation Mushtarak ("Together") against militants who with drug traffickers have for years controlled the area, a source of
most of the world`s opium.
Up to 400 families have left Marjah, seeking shelter in Lashkar Gah and elsewhere, officials said, while those left were being told to stay put.
"Leaflets are being dropped over Marjah, containing the message `Don`t shelter the Taliban in your homes, don`t allow the Taliban in your areas, the troops are coming to help you.
We will bring peace. Live in peace and comfort`," said provincial spokesman Daud Ahmadi.
The same message is being broadcast on local radio, he said.
"Local people are also being encouraged to inform Afghan troops about Taliban IEDs," he said, referring to improvised explosive devises, the insurgents` main weapon in their fight to topple the Western-backed government.
PTI
