Combat Around Kunduz Resumed

On Tuesday, the Northern Alliance brought up reinforcements from Panjsher to the surrounded city of Kunduz, Zamanuddin Shahabuddin, a representative of the Afghan Embassy in Dushanbe, told RIA Novosti. Heated combat is underway between the Taliban and the Northern Alliance's forces there. According to Mr. Shahabuddin, the Taliban have rejected the ultimatum of the Northern Alliance's military leadership to stop the resistance. "The Taliban are made up of fanatics, and the only way to deal with them is to destroy them completely," said the Afghan diplomat. At the same time, a source in Tajik power authorities told RIA Novosti that over 10,000 Taliban fighters were concentrated in Kunduz at the moment. They include Arabs, Pakistanis, Uigurs, and those fighting for the Uzbek opposition. Military experts estimate that it will take the Northern Alliance long to capture the city, as the best units of the Taliban forces stationed in the city will not easily give up. As far as the unofficial capital of the Taliban movement, Kandahar, is concerned, according to some information, on Monday, the Northern Alliance has succeeded in significantly advancing in some sections of the front line there. Local fighting is already being waged in the city's streets. However, military experts stress, the battle for Kandahar will also be lengthy.