Expert says Taliban attack aimed at public opinion, Harper not sure

"They're testing French public opinion," said Douglas Bland, a former colonel and the chair of defence management studies at Queen's University in Kingston, Ont.

The bold strike on a joint French-U.S. reconnaissance patrol happened along a narrow stretch of road in a mountain pass east of the Afghan capital. It was carried out by as many as 100 insurgents, many of whom were killed in the ensuing gun battle with the better-armed NATO soldiers.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he's not sure whether the Taliban were being "strategic" in their thinking - or whether the NATO patrol was simply tempting target in a vulnerable spot.

But he said Canadians understand all-too-well the pain France is suffering.

"Obviously, we in Canada have understood over the past several years how difficult this mission is."

The French reluctantly agreed last spring to joined the fighting in eastern Afghanistan, adding 700 paratroopers after months wrangling and arm-twisting by NATO allies.

The catalyst for the decision was Canada's threat to end its military mission in Kandahar next year unless NATO delivered reinforcements to the bloodied and beleaguered southern province.

Agreeing to replace American troops in eastern Afghanistan so they could back up the Canadians was a high-stakes political gamble for French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Bland said that is something the Taliban recognize.

"They'll go after the soldiers not so much that they think the soldiers are unarmed or afraid of them . . . their aim, I would say, is to raise the political cost of the mission for the French president."

Harper, aware of the shaky public support in France, punctuated his condolences with a plea for solidarity.

"We're very proud to have the French making an enhanced contribution in Afghanistan. We believe it is essential for all NATO countries to stay the course."

Sarkozy was on his way to Kabul on Tuesday - a show of support for his soldiers as much as a demonstration of his political resolve.

The attack in the area of Sarobi about 50 kilometres from the capital also saw 21 soldiers wounded. The combat loss is thought to be the heaviest the French have suffered since 58 paratroopers were killed in Beirut in 1983.

France has about 3,000 troops in Afghanistan, many of whom were restricted to operations in Kabul until recently. It has suffered 22 deaths, including Tuesday's assault.

Canada, by comparison, has seen 90 soldiers lose their lives in Afghanistan, with the biggest one-day total being six killed. Most have died in the last two and a half years in southern Afghanistan.

Alain Pellerin, a retired colonel and executive director of the Conference of Defence Associations, said the Taliban have stepped up their attacks in eastern Afghanistan during the last few months.

Kabul and the surrounding region, which had been relatively tranquil and growing more prosperous, has faced a barrage of suicide attacks and ambushes - one of which killed two Canadian aid workers last week.

The increasing number of well-planned attacks have startled defence observers, particularly in the U.S.

It was only a few months ago that NATO commanders confidently declared that large-scale assaults by Afghan insurgents were ebbing this year because of a successful campaign to kill mid-level Taliban commanders.