Canadian troops in Afghanistan have launched their biggest mission yet -- a drive to root out Taliban insurgents from rural areas around Kandahar.

Hundreds of troops, helicopter gunships and artillery units are involved in the dangerous operation deep in southern Afghanistan.

Two companies from the Princess Patricia's Light Infantry moved out this week into insurgent country, according to The Canadian Press. They are supported by armoured vehicles, helicopter gunships and artillery.

The companies' mission is to show insurgents that Canadian troops and Afghan authorities can take charge of these rural areas.

According to U.S. commanders, several pockets of insurgents numbering in the dozens operate in the area. They often gather and organize larger offensives in the spring.

The troops discovered all too well the dangers posed by remaining rebel fighters after a spate of suicide bombings and ambushes in Kandahar that injured eight Canadian soldiers in the past week.

Gen. Rick Hillier, chief of defence staff, paid a visit to the troops at the Canadian-run provincial reconstruction team in Kandahar after meeting with the region's governor. Hillier used the opportunity to rally the troops.

"You've had a tough week or so, I know. You have a tough mission, I know that too," he said. He added that Canadians back home are starting to "wake up to this mission and what you are doing here."

The mission will be the biggest so far for the Canadian contingent of 2,200 troops, who began arriving in Kandahar over the past few months.

Capt. Martin Larose, the acting commander of Company A, told a briefing for platoon commanders to be on the lookout for the arsenal favoured by insurgents: roadside bombs, AK-47 assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades.

"If we meet these bad guys, we destroy them. Simple as that," said Larose.

Latest violence

In the latest violence, at least two people were killed in overnight clashes between coalition forces and suspected Taliban rebels to the east of Kandahar in Nangarhar province.

Afghan troops surrounded a building and fought with militants before U.S. warplanes bombed the area. At least one rebel fighter was found dead, and troops also discovered weapons and detonators inside the building.

With a report from The Canadian Press