November 29, 2001	Thursday	Ramazan 13, 1422

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

QUETTA, Nov 28: The Taliban have recaptured the Takhta Pul area on the main highway between Kandahar and Spin Boldak on Wednesday afternoon, sources in the militia claimed.

The area was annexed by the opposition tribal alliance three days ago after the Taliban forces vacated it.

Some 12 soldiers of the tribal alliance were killed while four Taliban fighters sustained bullet wounds, they said. The injured were brought to Chaman for treatment, border officials confirmed.

However, opposition sources in Chaman rubbished the Taliban claim, saying that Takhta Pul area was still held by tribal forces.

The Opposition tribal alliance comprises supporters of Hamid Karzai, a Zahir Shah loyalist, Commander Fida of Asmat Militia and Gul Agha Sherzai, ex-governor Kandahar.

The Taliban officials said they had retreated from their previous positions on the assumption that the tribal alliance would accommodate their demands, including a share in the administration of Spin Boldak and ensuring of a safe haven for the Arab fighters or supporters of Osama bin Laden.

On Tuesday, the Taliban had reoccupied their positions around Kandahar Airport after the tribal alliance spurned their demands.

Meanwhile, Taliban supreme leader Mulla Omer, in a message broadcast on Shariat Radio, told commanders and soldiers to stay prepared for a fight with the US forces and not to give up, come what may.