Taliban soldiers head for the hills

By Mort Rosenblum

Associated Press

CHAMAN, Pakistan – Taliban soldiers in large numbers have taken heavy weapons into the mountains near Kandahar to await any American assault, according to Afghan travelers reaching this border post Friday.

Both Taliban sympathizers and others who denounce the fundamentalist government concurred that convoys had left the city, which is exposed in a valley, to dig into defensive positions on higher ground.

Passing time seems to have polarized positions in the southern city, stronghold of Mullah Omar Mohammed, head of Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers, who refuse to deliver Osama bin Laden in spite of the threat of U.S. retaliation.

“Kandahar is almost empty, and everyone remaining there is afraid,” said Bashir Ahmed, 27, a trader who shaved off his Taliban-imposed beard the moment he reached Pakistan. “No one knows what will happen tomorrow.”

Others who declared themselves happy to be free of the extremist Muslim leaders painted a similar picture: closed shops, confusion fed by fear and increasing severity by authorities.

But Yar Mohammed, a 26-year-old laborer, offered a different version. People are tired, he said, but morale is high.

“Everyone suffers hardship because Pakistan has closed the border,” he said, “but we are ready for anything. We are happy because Americans will lose this fight. Their days are numbered.”

Taliban authorities will never surrender bin Laden, he said, adding, “We will do everything for the safety and security of our guest.”

As he spoke, the first trucks carrying 5,000 tons of U.N. World Food Program grain trundled over the high mountain pass from Quetta, Pakistan, toward Kandahar. Most was donated by the American government.

Reminded of this, Mohammed dismissed the food aid as “the politics of America.” He tossed a turbaned head and added, “Don’t worry, you can stop.”

In theory, the border is closed, but a steady stream of trucks and cars manage to cross, either with special permission or because of cash pressed into the right palms.

The no-man’s land between Afghanistan and Pakistan teems with trade and turmoil. Merchants deliver staples to Afghans who bring luxury goods smuggled across other borders.

Because of the sporadic traffic, no predominant point of view is clear. Anti-Taliban Afghans mostly tend to keep their opinions to themselves.

But young radicals in their black turbans or colorful skullcaps leave no doubt about their feelings.

Noor Ahmed, 18, at first said the Americans had provided no proof that bin Laden was responsible for the Sept. 11 terror attacks. Then, warming to his rhetoric, he said the killing of thousands of innocent people was justified because “America interfered in Afghanistan’s affairs.”

Ahmed stopped denying that bin Laden was responsible and added, instead, that if the United States did not stay out of Afghanistan the same thing would happen again.

“If America continues, we will do what we can do,” he said.

All the travelers had similar accounts of Taliban troop movements toward the mountains, although details were sparse.

In Quetta, U.N. officials in contact with their Afghan workers confirmed that military preparations were evident, including the forced conscription of young men from all ethnic groups.

One European U.N. official, who like the others asked not to be named, said the Taliban was drafting youths from ethnic minorities with the apparent intention of placing them in front-line positions.

At the border, Faiz Khan, a 45-year-old truck driver, said he felt certain that a majority of Afghans wanted the return of their aged king, Mohammad Zaher Shah, to put in place a different government.

Also, he said, people wanted a traditional council – the old style of representative democracy via tribal chiefs – to plot out the future.

He said military columns had taken arms and ammunition to the mountains, while people left in the crippled city seemed fearful. Whatever happens, he said, most people want it to happen soon.

Asked why he wore no beard, Khan laughed. “The Taliban is busy with other things,” he said.

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

A trash hauler from Republic Services. (Provided photo)
Growing Teamsters strike disrupts garbage pickup in Snohomish County

Republic Services said a temporary work stoppage is causing some customers in the county to experience “temporary service delays.”

Lily Lamoureux stacks Weebly Funko toys in preparation for Funko Friday at Funko Field in Everett on July 12, 2019.  Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Everett-based Funko ousts its CEO after 14 months

The company, known for its toy figures based on pop culture, named Michael Lunsford as its interim CEO.

‘Courageous’ teen dives into Silver Lake to rescue 11-year-old

Gauge Bryant, 13, brought the child to the surface. The 11-year-old is in stable but critical condition, authorities said.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.