DECONSTITUTING THE RECONSTITUTED

Up to 40 More Taliban Killed in Fighting - Report (Reuters, August 28, 2003)

More Taliban fighters were killed on Thursday as a major operation by Afghan soldiers backed by U.S.-led forces and aircraft to find hundreds of guerrillas entered its fourth day, officials and news reports said.

The Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) agency quoted Afghan Colonel Qudratullah as saying he saw around 40 bodies on the battlefield in the Tangi Chinaran area of Dai Chopan district, part of Zabul province where the fighting has raged.

Afghan officials had already claimed 70 Taliban losses in the first three days of fighting, as Afghan soldiers and small groups of U.S.-led special forces searched for up to 1,000 militants. [...]

While estimates vary, it could be the largest concentration of Taliban fighters since the hardline Islamic regime was ousted late in 2001, raising concerns that the movement has rallied support to undermine the U.S.-backed central government.

Zabul governor Hafizullah told Reuters that at least four Taliban had been killed by around midday, before the heaviest clashes began.

Asked about reports that the Taliban's supreme leader Mullah Mohammad Omar may be among the fighters, he replied:

"I cannot tell you about that. I am not sure. I have not seen him with my own eyes."

There were reports today that the Mullah had been killed, though the Taliban claims he's not even in that part of the country. You have to wonder that these guiys are still so stupid that they'd gather 800 guys in one spot. Do they hold up signs saying: "Kill us"? Posted by Orrin Judd at August 28, 2003 8:02 PM