KABUL — Canadian troops have done an admirable job securing Afghanistan's capital city but that's no reason to let down their guard, the acting head of the army told them Tuesday.

Speaking French, Maj.-Gen. Marc Caron said Canadians appreciate the job their NATO soldiers have done promoting security and prosperity in the wartorn country.

But he said complacency is a soldier's worst enemy and reminded them that dangers still lurk beyond the gates of Camp Julien, the main Canadian base on the southern edge of Kabul.

"Always pay attention, avoid complacence," Caron told about 400 members of the 3rd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment Battle Group, gathered in the camp's parade square.

"Don't become too comfortable in your mission."

Directly behind him was a memorial to the seven Canadian troops killed in Afghanistan since 2002, the most recent a member of the Petawawa, Ont.-based Royal Canadian Regiment by a suicide bomber Jan. 27.

Shortly after Caron's speech, 23 combat helicopters belonging to Afghan national forces - including Soviet-made Hinds - passed over the camp heading south, where fighting continues with al Qaeda and Taliban forces.

In all, there are about 5,700 NATO troops in Kabul, while the U.S.-led coalition fighting the war on terror continues to operate in the rest of the country.

The current Canadian mission, involving about 2,300 soldiers, is scheduled to end by mid-August when a much smaller mechanized reconnaissance group will arrive from Edmonton.

Caron assured troops Ottawa is planning on their timely return home, suggesting he did not expect their mission to be extended.

In an interview, Caron said there are currently no plans to deploy any Canadians to a provincial reconstruction team - smaller NATO units in centres outside Kabul which will help in reconstruction and facilitate the work of non-governmental organizations.

"Some discussion at headquarters has taken place on PRTs," said Caron, who is filling in as army chief for Lt.-Gen. Rick Hillier, commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul.

"We're not ready to make a decision. We'll have to look at how things develop."

Caron said certain conditions are necessary before Canada could commit to such an operation which, though small, requires significant support - such as medical and evacuation. Elements, in other words, Canada doesn't have.