Afghan Taleban recaptures key town from Opposition

Afghan Taleban recaptures key town from Opposition
REUTERS

FEB 17: Afghanistan's ruling Taleban movement has recaptured on Saturday the key central town of Bamiyan which it lost to opposition forces early this week, a Pakistan-based Afghan news service reported.

"A Taleban spokesman in Kabul has confirmed the recapture of Bamiyan, but declined to give any further details," the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) said.

The northern alliance opposition led by Commander AhmedShah Masood had captured Bamiyan, which sits on the Taleban's land route to northern Afghanistan, on February 13.

"After three hours of heavy fighting the Taleban has got control of Bamiyan at 10 AM local time (0430 GMT)," AIP quoted Taleban sources as saying. There was no independent confirmation of the report.

The main highway from the capital Kabul to the north is already blocked by opposition forces.

The Taleban controls some 95 per cent of Afghanistan but is recognised as the government by only three countries -- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The opposition alliance, led by ousted President Burhanuddin Rabbani, holds territory in the northeast and central Afghanistan and the Afghan seat at the United Nations.