November 14, 2001	Wednesday	Shaba’an 27, 1422

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 13: United Nations on Tuesday said 100 Taliban soldiers were killed by Northern Alliance troops in Mazar-i-Sharif as the law and order situation deteriorates with reports of summary executions, “punitive action,” lootings of UN offices and NGOs being received from different parts of Afghanistan.

Speaking at a news conference, UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan (UNOCHA) spokesperson Stephanie Bunker said that over 100 newly recruited Taliban soldiers were killed by Northern Alliance troops on Saturday. The Taliban soldiers were hiding in a school in Mazar-i-Sharif, she said.

Asked if the killed Taliban were Pakistanis, she said that the nationality of the killed soldiers could not be confirmed till the last reports were received.

Many observers believe the killed Taliban soldiers were of Pakistani origin, who had recently gone from the tribal areas.

Talking about the rapidly changing situation on the ground, the UNOCHA official said that in addition to the summary executions, a mixed picture of lootings and “punitive actions” being carried out was emerging.

Confirming the take over of Kabul by the Northern Alliance, Ms Bunker said that some looting of UN offices had occurred and vehicles were taken away but the UN staff seemed to be safe.

Under the circumstances, it is difficult to say who is involved in lootings, she said and added that special forces had entered the city to keep it under control.

The spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office urged the warring parties to protect the UN staff and property so that relief assistance could be delivered to the Afghans in need.

About food delivery operations, World Food Programme (WFP) Spokesperson Khalid Mansour said commercial truck convoys refused to leave due to uncertain situation in Afghanistan.

Expressing concern about the food situation, he said the WFP operations may slow down due to deteriorating law and order situation but efforts would be made to meet the food delivery targets.