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British military sources revealed that insurgents armed with shoulder-launched rockets came close to assassinating Prime Minister David Cameron during his recent trip to Afghanistan.
According to the sources, the Taliban knew which helicopter to target when the Prime Minister visited a British base in southern Helmand province.
Intercepted communications by militants referred to the desire to shoot down the Chinook carrying the ''Big Commander'', the Daily Mail reports.
The trip was aborted after NATO spies overheard a Taliban unit near the base talking about shooting down the helicopter; with a second call shortly afterwards that referred to a VIP in the area.
Now an urgent review has been launched into the Prime Minister's security on visits to war zones.
Downing Street officials have played down the incident.
Senior Army officers want to prevent Cameron from putting his life at risk by conducting photo opportunities in the war zone.
The generals want to impose a news blackout on trips by the Prime Minister to Afghanistan until they have ended -- a move resisted by Downing Street aides.
Image: British Prime Minister David Cameron in Afghanistan