WASHINGTON, Jan 15: Recently appointed US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates has warned that the Taliban insurgents may launch a major offensive in Afghanistan this spring. The secretary, who plans to travel to Afghanistan in a few days, discussed with British and Nato leaders what the allies can do to thwart the Taliban’s threatened offensive, says a report released by the American Forces Press Service.

One of the subjects we have been talking about was the increased level of violence last year and some indications that the Taliban want to increase the level of violence in 2007," Mr Gates told reporters after the meeting.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation currently leads the allied forces in Afghanistan while the British have more than 5,000 troops in the country. Britain also has deployed more than 7,000 troops in Iraq.

Officials in Washington say that they see a fair amount of Taliban activity in southern Afghanistan as the spring approaches. Historically, the Afghans fight in the spring, summer and autumn and regroup during the harsh winter.

Although the Taliban suffered severe setbacks in 2006, there was a higher level of activity and violence during the year.

The likely Taliban offensive is watched in Washington with caution. Recently, key members of the US establishment — from Secretary of State to the national intelligence chief — have backed claims that the Taliban have set up safe havens along the Pakistan-Afghan border.

Senior US officials also have warned that the Taliban command and control structure and regrouping and supply facilities in Pakistan’s tribal areas can be used for the anticipated spring offensive.

On Monday, Mr Gates met NATO's Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in Brussels and – according to the Pentagon – the two officials spent much of their meeting discussing the resurgent Taliban threat in Afghanistan.

Mr Gates said that success in Afghanistan remains the top priority of the International Stability and Assistance Force, spearheaded by Nato.

A Pentagon report quoted Mr Scheffer as telling the same press conference that it is important Nato delivers, lives up to expectations and ê develops a comprehensive strategy.

A comprehensive strategy, he said, includes the ê full involvement of the international community': first of all of Nato, but also of the Afghan government and the international community as a whole.

A US government official said that Mr Gates also discussed with Nato and British officials what further steps can be taken to strengthen the Afghan government, particularly its reconstruction efforts.