AUCKLAND, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Defense Minister Wayne Mapp believed the military strategy of the top United States commander in Afghanistan, Stanley McChrystal, was on the right track, New Zealand media reported on Tuesday.

    Mapp has just returned from Afghanistan where he was briefed by McChrystal and met New Zealand troops. He said defeating a resurgent Taliban would stabilize Afghanistan and ensure it is no longer a safe heaven for terrorism.

    Mapp met the New Zealand Special Air Service (SAS) in Kabul. About 70 SAS soldiers were sent to Afghanistan last month, the NewZealand Herald reported on Tuesday.

    The SAS's role includes training the Afghan police critical response unit, a squad of officers based on an American-style Swatteam.

    About 100,000 international forces are expected to be sent to Afghanistan by the end of the year.

    Mapp said he is happy that New Zealand had upped its contribution by 40 percent at a time when many other nations were pulling out.