Hazy reports speak of Taliban mobilisation

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, SEPT. 24. Totally contradictory reports on the exact ground situation in Afghanistan are emanating in the wake of the virtual deportation of journalists reporting from that country. Hordes of scribes who have descended here from all parts of the globe have little option but to rely on statements and claims from the rival factions in Afghanistan.

While some reports talked of the Taliban mobilising all its strength, men and machinery in preparation for an impending war, others suggested that the Taliban was fast losing its grip. Some reports said soldiers had begun to flee the main centres in search of safe havens.

An emergency meeting of the Taliban Cabinet is supposed to have been held in Kabul to take stock of the situation and to gear up its machinery for what appears to be an inevitable confrontation with the United States and its allies.

The meeting, chaired by the deputy chief of the Cabinet, Mulla Mohammad Hassan Akhund, also reviewed reports of U.S. and British troops landing in the opposition-controlled parts of Afghanistan as well as the escalation in fighting between the Taliban and the Northern Alliances forces, Taliban embassy officials here said today.

The Taliban claims to have shot down another plane hovering over its territory, but there was no independent confirmation of the report. The first unmanned plane in northern Samangan province was brought down on September 22. The second plane too was reported to have been shot down yesterday in the same province.

The opposition, led by the Northern Alliance, claims it has made spectacular advances in its military campaign against the Taliban. It is said to have captured a district under the control of Taliban.

Experts on Afghanistan here believe that the militia could have a military strength up to 40,000 men. As per arms and ammunition and the nature of weaponry under its possession, it is anyone's guess. Till recently most observers conceded that the Taliban was in control of over 90 per cent of the territory.

Urdu papers in Pakistan are full of elaborate reports about activity inside Afghanistan. A report in the Jang daily from Peshawar said that in view of possible U.S. attacks, the Taliban has ordered troops in various provinces to move to Kandahar and Kabul. It said, quoting reports received on telephone from Kandahar and Kabul, the Taliban was mainly concentrating on Kabul and Kandahar under the impression that these two cities would be the main target of American attacks.

According to a report in Jang, the Taliban has begun distributing weapons among the countrymen to counter any aggression against the country. Besides, 110 Scud missiles have been installed along the borders. Camps to train youth have also been established all around the country while eight major camps have been set up near Kandahar and Khost to provide training to youth.

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Section  : International
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