No foreign troops: Taliban

PESHAWAR, SEPT. 29.

The Taliban today dismissed reports that foreign troops were present in the areas controlled by the Islamic regime, saying they were ``false'' and a ``propaganda ploy.'' ``Neither American nor Pakistani or other foreign troops have entered Afghanistan,'' the Taliban Ambassador to Pakistan, Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, told the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press news agency. ``It is wrong propaganda aimed at defaming the Taliban.''

The reports were aimed at creating the impression that the hardline Taliban regime was ready to strike a deal on the Saudi dissident, Osama bin Laden, wanted in the U.S. for the September 11 terror attacks in New York and Washington. ``The Islamic Emirate (of Taliban) is fully alert to defend the homeland,'' Mullah Zaeef said.

Confusion reigned over reports that the Taliban had captured three U.S. soldiers and two Afghans holding American nationality. The Taliban denied the reports, while the Pentagon officially declined comment.

Mullah Zaeef also denied the report by the Qatar-based Al- Jazeerah television station and said, ``it is a concocted story. We have not arrested anybody.'' But a new report by Al-Jazeerah said the report was based on a reliable ``military source'' in Osama's Al-Qaeda organisation. The report said the five had been arrested in the Iran-Afghanistan border.

- DPA

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