LONDON,, May 2: More than 1,000 specially trained British commandos are taking part in a fresh military operation in eastern Afghanistan to drive out the remnants of Al Qaeda, signalling the start of another big offensive, close to the Pakistan border.

The British ministry of defence said on Thursday the operation - the second to have been launched by 45 commando since arriving in the country last month - was aimed at an area known to have been used by the Al Qaeda.

The marines are said to have not encountered any Al Qaeda fighters so far. “If they do they will capture or destroy,” a defence ministry spokeswoman said.

Sources said the latest operation was being planned for a number of weeks and was expected to last several days.

British, US and Australian special forces are believed to have been scouring the area for several weeks in their hunt for Al Qaeda guerillas thought to be in mountain caves.

The disclosure follows reports in the US that two battalions of the 101st Airborne Division are being moved to the region to support the British troops.