- (AFP) - About 1,000 bodies, the victims of fighting between
Taliban and opposition forces, are believed to be lying around Kandahar
airport, humanitarian sources in Kabul revealed.
"The fighting was very fierce and lasted for a long time. We believe
that this figure of a thousand dead is not unrealistic," one of the
sources said Tuesday.
Kandahar, the Taliban's last bastion which surrendered to Pahstun tribal
forces on Friday, has several airports including a civilian one where the
bodies are reportedly lying, and a military airbase.
The last few weeks, according to various reports, saw continuous clashes
for control of the civilian airport situated between the Taliban's final
stronghold and the opposition forces.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), meanwhile, said it
expected on Tuesday to begin burying the dead in the city of Kandahar itself,
which was under relentless US bombardment for two months.
Taking advantage of the relative calm in the city, the ICRC dug some 100
graves, an ICRC official told AFP.
The location of the burial site was chosen in consultation with the new
governor of the city, Gul Agha, and military commander Mullah Naqibullah,
the official said.
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