Taliban Spiritual Leader Mullah Omar Flees To Pakistan

Taliban spiritual leader Mullah Omar has fled Afghanistan and is now hiding in Pakistan, Mukhitdin Mekhti, minister-counselor of the embassy of the Islamic State of Afghanistan in Dushanbe, told RIA Novosti on Tuesday. He also confirmed that Northern Alliance forces had taken Kandahar today. According to him, the city is fully controlled by armed formations of ex-Afghan king Zakhir Shah. The diplomat also said that the Northern Alliance had overrun the eastern provinces of Laghman and Kunar, and in the west, Fariab and Neemroze. Fighting to capture Jelalabad is continuing. The minister-counselor noted that the situation in Kabul is quiet. The security of major facilities and the population is ensured by about 3,000 police. General Fahim, commander of Northern Alliance forces, is in Kabul. Troops commanded by him have taken up defensive positions around the city, the diplomat emphasised.