Troops rush in as Taliban invade villages near Kandahar

Kandahar: Nato and Afghan troops on Tuesday rushed in to the outskirts of Afghanistan's second largest city that hundreds of Taliban fighters have invaded.

Nato has warned residents of at least five Taliban-held towns to evacuate before any attack, with its aircraft dropping hundreds of leaflets urging residents to leave.

The Taliban assault on Monday on the outskirts of Kandahar was the latest display of prowess by the militants; forcing frightened residents to flee.

The push into Arghandab district comes three days after a Taliban attack on Kandahar's prison that freed 400 insurgent fighters.

In Kandahar, security was tight, with several officers armed with rockets keeping a lookout from the roof of police headquarters.

Nato spokesman Mark Laity said Nato and Afghan military officials were redeploying troops to the region to "meet any potential threats."