U.S. prepares Afghanistan offensive
Operation Mountain Storm intensifies hunt for bin Laden
From Barbara Star
CNN Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The next round of military operations in Afghanistan will be named "Operation Mountain Storm," U.S. defense officials said Friday.
Officials have said that ground troops and aircraft are expected to move into Afghanistan's southeastern border region near Pakistan in the days and weeks ahead to conduct operations against Taliban and al Qaeda remnants believed to be operating there.
At this point, military officials said, it is not expected that U.S. forces in Afghanistan will increase beyond the current level of 11,000. Some additional reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft are expected to be deployed.
In recent weeks officials have talked publicly about a "spring offensive" and a renewed effort to capture or kill Osama bin Laden, but sources said this operation was long-planned. U.S. officials have said publicly that the operation will be limited to the Afghan side of the border, but also acknowledge that Special Forces will be in the region.
The previous round of operations was called Operation Mountain Blizzard.
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Associated Press contributed to this report.
