UK troops are ready for action in Afghanistan following a weekend of intensified US operations, including the first ground assaults of the conflict.

Tony Blair is discussing plans for the deployment of British soldiers alongside American troops as the Western coalition steps up operations in a race against time, as winter approaches Afghanistan.

While special forces from the SAS are almost certainly already engaged in covert actions against the Taliban, "detailed discussions" are taking place with Washington to allow the use of UK soldiers form the Parachute Regiment or the Royal Marines in "overt operations".

US president George W Bush has effectively rescinded America's 25-year ban on government-sponsored assassinations with a signed special order authorising the CIA to do "whatever is necessary" to destroy Osama Bin Laden and the Al Qaeda terrorist network.