AN EXTERMIST terrorist organisation is planning to assassinate peacekeeping troops from the Royal Anglian Regiment on patrol in Kabul, according to intelligence reports.

AN EXTREMIST terrorist organisation is planning to assassinate peacekeeping troops from the Royal Anglian Regiment on patrol in Kabul, according to intelligence reports.

Hezb E Islami is understood to be planning a deadly bomb attack using a Pakistani diesel tanker.

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment – which includes soldiers from Norfolk and Suffolk – have been placed on high alert during patrols in their role with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), carrying out peacekeeping duties in the Afghan capital.

All companies of the Royal Anglians, which has a force of 550 soldiers as part of the 1400-strong British contingent, have been sent a special alert.

It warns that Hezb E Islami is planning to park the fully-laden tanker on the Jalalabad road and set off a devastating explosion as an ISAF patrol passes.

Military sources in Kabul are taking the threat extremely seriously and over the last few hours ISAF troops have been stopping and searching all fuel tankers heading into Kabul.

At the end of last week missiles were fired at ISAF positions at Kabul airport and during patrols, soldiers from the Norfolk and Suffolk area have been involved in gunfights with criminals.

The latest alert comes as it was announced that Turkey is to take over the lead role in the ISAF peacekeeping process.

It is expected they will take over in June with the Royal Anglians heading home at the end of June.

But with a meeting imminent to appoint an interim government to take over from Hamid Karzi's six-month interim administration,

tension is increasing in the city as groups vie for a share of power.