Taliban Digging In

The taliban have been laying mines around their recently captured villages and blowing bridges. They are preparing for an inevitable counter-attack by NATO forces lead by the Canadians. CBC

Heavily armed Taliban fighters bombed bridges and planted landmines in the villages surrounding Kandahar on Tuesday, as residents fled the area in fear that militants were preparing to launch a full-scale attack on the city, officials and residents said.

"Last night, people were afraid, and families on tractors, trucks and taxis fled the area," said Sardar Mohammad, a police officer manning a checkpoint on the east side of the Arghandab River.

....

The Afghan army, meanwhile, has flown planeloads of 700 soldiers from the capital of Kabul to Kandahar for reinforcement, NATO says, while other NATO countries already serving in Afghanistan's south have also redeployed their troops specifically to the Kandahar area.

NATO has airdropped leaflets into various neighbourhoods in the area, advising citizens that it is prepared to deal with any threats. The leaflets warn residents to stay indoors and keep their families safe.

Afghan police and troops have enforced a strict 10 p.m. curfew in the city.

It's unclear how many Taliban fighters have moved into Arghandab, with estimates ranging from 150 to 600. Some of the fighters were freed in the jailbreak.

"We've occupied most of the area, and it's a good place for fighting," Mullah Ahmedullah, a Taliban commander, told the Associated Press. "Now we are waiting for the NATO and Afghan forces."