08:16 GMT, September 3, 2008 Nearly 3,000 British troops – supported by 1,000 Afghan National Security Forces and 1,000 ISAF troops from the United States, Canada, Denmark and Australia - have taken part in a huge convoy that successfully delivered a hydroelectric power turbine under an US aid programme 180 kilometres (112 miles) by road from Kandahar airfield to Kajaki dam in southern Afghanistan. The turbine and its various parts had to be transported by road through Taliban territory due to their weight, with some parts weighing as much as 29 tonnes each.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said at his weblog Number10.gov.uk that this operation was a reminder of NATO’s original purposes in Afghanistan: “Transporting and protecting the turbine through difficult and potentially dangerous terrain was a massive undertaking - I was briefed on it during my recent visit, and met some of the forces involved. It is yet another example of the skill and courage of our forces, but also a reminder of the fundamental purpose of why they are there - the long term development of Afghanistan, giving the people a stake in the future.”

Operation “Oqab Tsuka” or “Eagle’s summit” has been planned for two years and was kept secret until the turbine reached its destination Monday night. British troops not only led the way for the convoy which stretched 4 kilometres (2,5 miles) but also conducted the largest route clearing operation in their countries military history since the Second World War. British commanders estimated that around 200 insurgents might have killed during the operation, pointing out that there were no losses or injuries to NATO troops.

About fifty Mastiff, Viking and Jackal armoured vehicles safeguarded the convoy on the ground while British Harrier jump jets, Chinook and Apache helicopters, as well as French, Dutch and American aircraft delivered massive air support. UAV’s were used to reconnoitre the area ahead of the convoy, BBC reported.

Lt Col David Reynolds, spokesman for Taskforce Helmand, mentioned: "This is a significant military operation which demonstrates that our strategy of delivering civil effect is making progress in southern Afghanistan.Ultimately success in Afghanistan is about more than defeating the Taliban or the absence of fighting. It's also about creating jobs, security and economic development.”

Now that the turbine has arrived in Kajaki Afghanis are expecting that electricity will be provided to them very soon. However, before they will receive any extra power a major rejuvenation of the regions electrical distribution network becomes necessary. At what time this work could be finished decisively depends on the security situation in the southern Afghanistan regions.

"This operation is the first step in a much larger operation that demonstrates that ISAF's strategy to deliver civil effects is making real progress. A USAID funded project, delivered by the military, where the Afghan people will benefit, and ultimately, we will all benefit. It's why we are in Afghanistan," Reynolds said.