NATO takes over military operations in southern Afghanistan

NATO troops assumed command Monday of all military operations in southern Afghanistan, as Canadian soldierscame under attack near Kandahar.

No Canadians were injured in the rocket attack from insurgents, which camein the area known among the troops as "ambush alley." Soldiers from B Company of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry responded with machine-gun fire.

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force(ISAF) already had troops elsewhere in Afghanistan, including the capital Kabul, and in the north and the west of the country.

Leading up to the handover in the south, some 9,000 soldiers— including 2,200 Canadians— had been taking part inthe U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom.

Now partof ISAF, Canadian soldiers are notexpected to experience much change in the field.

"Today's transfer of authority demonstrates to the Afghan people that there is a strong commitment on the part of the international community to further extend security into the southern region's provinces," Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry, commander of U.S.-led coalition forces, said in a NATO statement.

Taliban attacks a daily occurrence

Meanwhile, theU.S.-led operations will continue ineastern Afghanistan.

NATO says its troops will engage in combat and its commanders will be able to order pre-emptive strikes against suspected Taliban fighters.

Attacks have been increasing in the area around Kandahar in recent weeks, B Company commander Major Nick Grimshaw told the Canadian Press.

"It's become daily now," Grimshaw said.

No injuries were reported Sunday after insurgents launched a mortar round at Canadian soldiers west of Kandahar.

Elsewhere in Afghanistan on Monday, a car bomb killed at least six people and wounded 16 outside a mosque in Jalalabad.

The attack happened as thousands of people, including the local governor, gathered in front of the mosque. The governor was unhurt in the blast.