KABUL, June 5 (Xinhua) -- While increasing insurgency has claimed the lives of more than 400 people over the past three weeks in the southern province, the Afghan Defense Ministry is chalking out plans to ensure security in the region, Defense Ministry spokesman Zahir Azimi said Monday.

    "We have our own security plans for the region and the situation will be improved within couple of months," Azimi told newsmen at a press conference.

    However, he declined to go into details.

    Helmand, Zabul, Uruzgan and Kandahar in south Afghanistan where hundreds of Taliban fighters are said to have hidden has been the scene of increasing security incidents since mid last month during which hundreds of people including five foreigners lost their lives.

    Taliban also took over the control of Chora district in Uruzganprovince for three days and the government with the support of the U.S.-led coalition regained it Friday after heavy clash.

    "We have comprehensive plan with regard to ensuring security in the southern region. We are confident to successfully implement and improve the security situation there," Azimi noted.

    Commander of the NATO-led 10,000 strong troops general David Richards also conceded security problems in the south on Sunday and said his troops would be doubled from two battalions to four battalions there. Enditem