Taliban rebels who captured a southern Afghan town a week ago were fortifying their positions after rejecting talks, a tribal chief said on Friday as officials played down the situation.| Does that mean we can kill them now? |
| The elderly man said there were around 300 Taliban fighters in the town and they had started digging trenches and laying mines to respond to any potential military action by coalition forces. |
The elderly man said there were around 300 Taliban fighters in the town and they had started digging trenches and laying mines to respond to any potential military action by coalition forces. Authorities would not confirm the elder’s information. “At this point, things are the same as they were,” said Nabi Jan Mullahkhail, police chief for Helmand province in which Musa Qala sits. “The government has got its own programmes and we’re working on it.” He would not give details. ISAF would not comment.
A resident said civilians were still leaving, fearing government attacks. ISAF said around 200 people had left but a Helmand refugee official said up to 1,500 families had gone. “Many people have left. There are people still leaving the town,” the resident said.