[fanfan]

[Irish_Thatcherite]

But the Taliban's hometown didn't open its doors to the insurgents when about 70 heavily armed fighters walked down the dusty streets shortly after midnight on Friday. The militants grew so desperate for shelter, villagers say, they barged into a farmer's home, locked him up and spent the night crowded into a single room with no beds, no pillows and not enough blankets.

It's a sure sign they are beaten - when they no longer have any safe houses.