Video: Gates checks progress of the war in Afghanistan
KABUL, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Afghan and NATO-led troops have made big success in the biggest-ever operation against Taliban in Marja district of Helmand province in southern Afghanistan but tough fighting is on the way, United States Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Monday.
"Afghan and international troops have succeeded in clearing almost all parts of Marja and Nad Ali districts," Gates said at a joint press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai here.
Establishing security is the first step, he said adding schools are open in Marja and the most important thing is the returning of displaced people to their homes there.
However, Pentagon chief warned of more fighting by saying, " There is still much fighting ahead and there will be more dark days but looking forward for optimism."
"Operation in Marja is only one of the many battles to come in a much longer in campaign to focus on protecting the Afghan people, " Gates added.
Meantime, the top U.S. military official stressed that, " Success of operations depend on Afghan National Security Forces." and said he was supporting President Karzai's goal for building 300,000-strong Afghan army and police by the end of this year. Afghan security forces strength presently is some 200,000.
Gates' visit to Afghanistan took place days after recapturing Taliban fiefdom Marja and restoring government control there. Defense Secretary's visit to Kabul coincided with Taliban militants suicide attack against police in Khost city the capital of Khost province in east Afghanistan, where two attackers according to police were killed and four policemen sustained injuries.
Some 15,000 Afghan and the NATO-led troops including 5,000 U.S. Marines launched a major offensive against Taliban bastion in Marja to ensure government control and reconstruction process in Taliban hotbed.
To overcome Taliban-led insurgency in Afghanistan, President Obama has approved sending in additional 30,000 troops there and of these 6,000 have already been deployed while the remaining would arrive by the end of year.
Presently 113,000 NATO-led forces with 67,000 of them Americans have been stationed in Afghanistan to stabilize security in the post-Taliban country.
