Kunduz (Afghanistan), Aug 18 (DPA) The German army captain was enjoying supper, turkey breast with rice and vegetables -- his last proper meal for the foreseeable future.

He is about to move out with his infantry company from Kunduz, the capital of the northern Afghan province of the same name, and then he and his troops would have to sustain themselves on rations provided by the German army that include shrink-wrapped ravioli, sausage, bread and chocolate.

When he'll make it back to base, Captain K doesn't know, but it would most definitely be after Thursday's presidential election in Afghanistan as the German troops along with Afghan soldiers provide security for the voting.

'Deployments revolve around life and death,' said the captain, who may only be identified by his rank and the initial of his last name because of German army regulations.

One of K's subordinates, Master Sergeant A, could relay his own tales about how much the security situation has deteriorated recently in Kunduz province, which had been known as a relatively peaceful area in volatile Afghanistan.

The platoon leader, who did a previous deployment in Kunduz last year, has been engaged with his men in five exchanges of fire with insurgents since they arrived four weeks ago.

'The situation has made a 180-degree turnaround from 2008,' Master Sergeant A said. 'This is definitely war.'

The insurgents have become better trained and are now much more adept at deploying military tactics, he said.

'They are serious opponents in any scenario,' he said.

Ambushes by the Taliban are now 'well-planned' and their 'spotters' constantly monitor the movements of troops, reporting to their superiors immediately whenever any vehicles leave the German army's compound in Kunduz city, he said.

The spotters had much to report that recent evening as the sun went down and about two dozen German army vehicles drove through the gate and down the hill past grazing camels.

The convoy soon reached a position near the provincial capital and set up camp.

The German commander in Kunduz, Colonel Georg Klein, said he expected a further increase in ambushes and attacks ahead of the election even though violent incidents had already reached a level not seen since the Taliban regime was ousted in 2001.

'The situation is out of control,' said Jamal Nasir Farhan, a candidate standing in the provincial council election, to be held the same time as the presidential election.