BRUSSELS, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- A Dutch platoon in the southern Afghan province of Uruzgan has been temporarily suspended from active service for collectively refusing to carry out an order, Radio Netherlands reported Friday.

    The 24 scouts of the Dutch Task Force Uruzgan refused to provide support and defense to a less-well trained and experienced unit. They wanted their commander to reverse the roles, but he refused and suspended the unit.

    The incident may lead to a criminal investigation, the report said. The scouts will be sent back to the Netherlands.

    According to defense experts, this is the first time an entire Dutch platoon has been suspended from active service.

    The Netherlands has about 1,700 troops stationed in Uruzgan as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force. The mission started in August 2006 and expires at the end of 2010.