Afghan militia reportedly captures more ground

Taliban fundamentalists impose strict laws

September 30, 1996
Web posted at: 11:04 a.m. EDT (1505 GMT)

AFGHANISTAN (CNN) -- Three days after taking Kabul, rebel Taliban fighters chasing after officials loyal to deposed Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani have reportedly captured areas north of the capital. The Islamic fundamentalists were sweeping into the Panjshir Valley, where the former government leaders are believed to have fled after losing power last week.

Rabbani's exact whereabouts were not known, but top officials of his government were reported to be in the Panjshir Valley. "We will chase them to the Afghan border," said Bizmullah Waffa, a senior Taliban official. "They are war criminals; we will never forgive them."

Taliban sources, quoted by a Pakistan-based Afghan news service, said that Kapisa province had fallen to the militia on Monday. Earlier, Taliban commanders and aid workers said Taliban militiamen stormed into Jabul-al-Siraj, 70 kilometers (45 miles) north of Kabul, just after midnight following a three-hour battle.

Also Monday:

• The Taliban closed the main border crossing with Pakistan after the Pakistanis refused to allow free movement across the frontier.
• Pakistan's foreign minister was quoted as saying that his country recognizes the Taliban regime as Afghanistan's legitimate government, . The Taliban movement grew out of the religious schools of Afghan refugees in Pakistan two years ago.
• Norbert Holl, the United Nations' special envoy to Afghanistan, said he was trying to arrange peace talks among the country's warring factions. Holl met for over two hours on Sunday with Taliban leaders.
• Turkey's Islamic-led government suggested that the warring parties in Afghanistan meet in Turkey in talks sponsored by the United Nations.

Women banned from workplaces

The Taliban now control about three-quarters of Afghanistan and vow to impose their version of strict Islamic law on the central Asian country. As a result, men employed in government offices and in the military will be required to grow long beards. Women were banned from workplaces, but those laid off for religious reasons will continue to be paid, a Taliban leader said.

Women who venture out were told to wear traditional Islamic clothing, covering themselves head to toe. Witnesses said at least four women were beaten in public by Taliban fighters on Sunday for violating the dress codes.

Girls schools remained closed for a second day Monday with no word on when or if they would reopen. Markets were open and men moved about freely.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Related stories:

• U.N. envoy meets with Afghanistan's Taliban - September 29,1996
• Calm returns to Kabul as rebels impose strict rule - September 28, 1996
• Afghan rebels seize capital, hang former president - September 27, 1996

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• United Nations
• Afghanistan World-Wide Web Virtual Library
• Afghanistan Today

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