Taliban Fighters Regrouping

Monday, September 8, 2003

(3:27 AM ET) (07:27 GMT)

The Cable News Network

As many as 200 Taliban have been killed this week alone.

KABUL, Afghanistan -- CNN
America's top commander in Afghanistan has confirmed that al Qaeda-trained Taliban fighters are pouring into the country from Pakistan.

Lt. Gen. John Vines said Sunday the hard-line Taliban have been trying to regain control of Afghanistan after being removed from power in late 2001 by a U.S.-led coalition.

"They have been attempting to (regroup) for nine months," Vines said.

"Every time, we've disrupted them, we've interdicted them, we've denied them sanctuary, and we've killed them."

His comments to reporters traveling with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld were the first confirmation from a top U.S. military official the Taliban are emerging out of Pakistan and moving into Afghanistan.
(More: CNN.com)

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Dan