Pashtun forces are preparing to attack a mountain redoubt where ex-Potentate Mullah Mohammad Omar is believed to be hiding with 500 men, and want to hang him. Mullah Omar retreated to mountains and caves around the village of Baghran in Helmand Province, about 160 km northwest of Kandahar, accompanied by diehard Taliban and al Qaeda fighters, Kandahar Director of Intelligence Haji Gullalai said. "We have men with him who are Taliban but are friendly to us." Taliban with Mullah Omar would be given a chance to surrender or else face the consequences. Al Qaeda fighters would be tried in Afghanistan and then handed over to the United Nations, if requested.
And what of Mullah Omar's fate? "He will be hanged," said Gullalai. "He sold out the country, he sold out our people, he sold out Islam," he said. "He has no place to hide."
The mullahs can be disposed of at a more liesurely pace now that Osama's out of the picture. They have no money and no supplies, unless Pakland has started helping them again, which would be inexpedient at this point. But my guess is that when most of his 500 men are shot up, he'll try to bolt again. (That's like guessing that the Yankees will be series contenders next year.) |