NATO plans offensive in Afghanistan

NATO's civilian representative says thousands of Afghan troops and US Marines are set to launch a massive assault on a densely-populated district.

Civilians have been warned to stay indoors amidst what what could one the biggest offensives in eight years of conflict.

Afghan villagers were warned to stay inside during a major offensive that will commence later this week.

US-led NATO forces are planning one of the eight-year-old war's biggest offensives. The operation will try to seize Marjah, a warren of desert canals and opium fields that is now the last large Taliban stronghold in Helmand, Afghanistan's most violent province.

British soldiers take cover as a helicopter lands at Musa Qala in Helmand province in this March 29, 2009 file photo. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani/Files