KABUL, Oct 20 (Reuters): Taliban fighters foiled a US commando raid on positions to the west of the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, powerbase of the hardline ruling militia, Education Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said today.
"Around 12 oclock (0100 hrs IST) last night several US helicopters carrying commandos landed on Baba Sahib mountain to the west of Kandahar city," Muttaqi told Reuters.
"Simultaneously, the Taliban approached there and forced them to flee back by firing at them," he said.
"There was no casuality from our side and, like the aerial attacks, the US commando offensive too has been foiled," he said.
Asked about the US reports that a helicopter crashed in Pakistan during operations linked to the lightning overnight raid, Muttaqi said, "we dont rule out the possibility of shooting it down." Taliban ready for American ground forces ISLAMABAD, Oct 20 (UNI): Denying reports that American air strikes had wiped out the Taliban weaponary, Taliban has said that they were all ready for the American ground forces.
"We have spared all our military strength till the arrival of US land forces into Afghanistan," Talibans envoy in Islamabad Mullah abdul salam zaeef who had visited Kandhar to consult the leaders said yesterday.
He said that they were now fully prepared to "Welcome the American ground forces." Commenting on the reports that Pakistan has given another air base to US Mullah Zaeef said it was immaterial if Pakistan handed over one or ten air bases to the Americans.
"The Talibans are united as before and reports about the friction in their ranks are incorrect," he said.
Mullah Zaeef on his mission to Kandhar said that he neither carried any message from Islamabad nor brought one from Kandhar making it clear that there was no shift in Afghanistans policy nor any change about Osama bin Laden.
Mullah Zaeef while commenting on the induction of a broad based government in Kabul said no body had any authority to intervene in the internal affairs of the country.
Taliban want opposition to join forces ISLAMABAD, Oct 20 (Reuters): Afghanistans ruling Taliban wants to bury the hatchet with its longtime foes in the opposition and launch a joint defence against US attacks, Education Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi told Reuters today.
"Our appeal from all muslims is to work with the Emirate (Taliban) against the assaults.
We are also endeavouring to get the support of jihadi actions inside Afghanistan to this end," Muttaqi told Reuters.
"It is time to bury the hatchet and form one front against the attacks," Muttaqi said, referring to the opposition Northern Alliance led by President Burhanuddin Rabbani and thrown out of kabul by victorious taliban militia in 1996.
The two sides have been locked in a bitter civil war ever since.