Tuesday, February 7 2006 17:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Over two months after the killing of a BRO jawan and subsequent threats to some other Indians in Afghanistan, India is sending a large contingent of para-military forces, mainly commandos, to the war-torn country to ensure security of its nationals working there.

Government has decided to send about 300 personnel of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to Afghanistan for security of the personnel of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) working on construction of a highway in south of the country between Kandahar and Iran border, official sources told sources here today (Feb 7,2006).

At least 80 security personnel have already been despatched and they have begun their duties, they said.

The rest will be sent there shortly, the sources said, adding training in this regard was being imparted to those detailed for the task.

A Commandant-rank officer is also likely be deputed to Afghanistan to oversee the security arrangements.

Given the scenario in which protection has to beprovided, the ITBP personnel deputed for the task arecommandos, specially trained in proximate security, they said.

Till now, a minuscule ITBP contingent of about 20 personnel was posted in Kabul, mainly for protection of the Indian Embassy.