Afghanistan Fortifies Pakistan Border

Associated Press | September 16, 2001 | Amir Shah (Associated Press Writer)

[blake6900]

SEPTEMBER 16, 15:45 EDT

Afghanistan Fortifies Pakistan Border

By AMIR SHAH
Associated Press Writer

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia said Sunday that it was strengthening its defenses, suggesting it was steeling for a U.S. military strike to punish it for harboring terror suspect Osama bin Laden.

``We have fortified our bunkers and our important installations, including military bases and airfields,'' said the Taliban information minister, Qadratullah Jamal. Border officials in neighboring Pakistan said the Taliban were stepping up their military presence on the frontier.

The talk of a buildup came a day after the Taliban ambassador to Pakistan, which is one of only three countries to recognize Taliban rule, threatened military action against any nation aiding an American attack on Afghanistan.

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The ambassador, Abdul Salam Zaeef, did not name any country. But Pakistani military and diplomatic officials said Saturday that Pakistan has agreed to a list of U.S. demands for a possible attack on Afghanistan, including allowing a multinational force to be based there.

As it prepares to respond to Tuesday's attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the United States has focused on Afghanistan because the Taliban provide safe haven to bin Laden, the prime suspect.

The Taliban's reclusive leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar, urged Afghans to pray and read the Quran to help them through this ``test,'' according to the Taliban's Radio Shariat.

Omar met with senior clerics and received their support Sunday, the report said. The Taliban have refused to hand over bin Laden, saying Washington has given no proof of his involvement in any terrorist activity.

Aid agencies pulled their last workers out of the capital, Kabul, on Sunday after the Taliban ordered them to leave. The Taliban said they could not guarantee their safety in the event of a U.S. assault.

The only foreign aid workers left were eight members of a Christian aid group jailed by the Taliban on charges of preaching Christianity — two American women, two Australians and four Germans. A Supreme Court official who spoke on condition of anonymity said their trial would continue even though a Pakistani defense lawyer has not arrived in Kabul.

The International Red Cross, which rarely withdraws from a war-torn nation, pulled out 15 foreign aid workers, the only staffers it had left in Afghanistan. One German and two Italians also left Kabul.

The Taliban order said all ``foreigners'' should evacuate Afghanistan, but it was not believed to apply to an estimated 6,000 Islamic extremists who come from other countries. There are believed to be 3,500 Arab militants in Afghanistan, as well as several thousand Pakistanis, Uzbeks and Chechens. Taliban leaders refused to comment.

Buses headed east from Kabul toward Pakistan were crammed with Afghans fleeing the city of 1 million on Sunday.

``We don't know whether we should run or hide,'' said Morad Ali, a civil servant in Kabul.

In Pakistan, officials in the North West Frontier Province along the Afghan border issued an order prohibiting Afghans without valid travel documents from entering the country.

[blake6900]

The Taliban order said all ``foreigners'' should evacuate Afghanistan, but it was not believed to apply to an estimated 6,000 Islamic extremists who come from other countries.

Yeah, you 6,000 pukes stay right there and save us the time lookin' for ya...

``We don't know whether we should run or hide,'' said Morad Ali, a civil servant in Kabul.

Hey, pal...don't try either.

[AdvisorB]

The leader of this band of nazi-like zealots, mullah omar is calling on the Afghan people to stand tall, meanwhile omar the coward, has reportedly gone into hiding. The Pak's might as well break diplomatic relations with the taliban, for soon, real soon, there will be no taliban.

[TomB]

Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia said Sunday that it was strengthening its defenses,

"Quick you swine, pile those rocks higher!!!"

[Storm Orphan]

``We don't know whether we should run or hide,'' said Morad Ali, a civil servant in Kabul.

Run and you'll only die tired. Hide and you'll die in the dark.

But by all means, keep working on your Maginot Line.

[blake6900]

"Quick you swine, pile those rocks higher!!!"

I've heard numerous media types talk of what courageous fighters the Afghans were during the Soviet insurrection but, as usual, the media is comparing apples and oranges. A lot can change in ten years...like who's gonna supply them with weapons? Certainly not the U.S. as we did in the 80's. Russia? Pakistan? Nope.

Iran? No, they hate the Taliban. Iraq? China? Not likely. How could they? Since Pakistan appears to be on board, one look at a map of the region shows there are no neighbors of Afghanistan that would allow access into the country. And it is, after all, landlocked.

So, while the Afghans and the Taliban may indeed be courageous fighters, it appears they would be relegated to throwing the rocks you mention.

[Nick Danger]

The Taliban's reclusive leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar, urged Afghans to pray

Sage advice.

[IronJack]

"Fortify" is probably too strong a word. They really just pulled up another '72 Monte Carlo and set it on fire in the street. "Afghani Military" inspires me with the same dread as "peevish Girl Scouts."

[blake6900]

They really just pulled up another '72 Monte Carlo and set it on fire in the street.

Oh, Jack...I am literally laughing out loud. Thanks so much...I really did need that!

[Walkin Man]

Guided Bomb Unit-28 (GBU-28) BLU-113 Penetrator

The Guided Bomb Unit-28 (GBU-28) is a special weapon developed for penetrating hardened command centers located deep underground. The GBU-28 is a 5,000-pound laser-guided conventional munition that uses a 4,400-pound penetrating warhead.

The bombs are modified Army artillery tubes, weigh 4,637 pounds, and contain 630 pounds of high explosives. They are fitted with GBU-27 LGB kits, 14.5 inches in diameter and almost 19 feet long. The operator illuminates a target with a laser designator and then the munition guides to a spot of laser energy reflected from the target.

[Ethrane]

"The Taliban's reclusive leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar, urged Afghans to pray and read the Quran to help them through this ``test,'' according to the Taliban's Radio Shariat. "

Another tip...this test will not require a Number 2 pencil...

[egarvue]

Airfields? This country is operating in the bronze age. What kind of aircraft could they possibly have? Catapult-launched suicide camels?

[blake6900]

What kind of aircraft could they possibly have? Catapult-launched suicide camels?

Personnel-launched camel chips...a.k.a. flying camel sh!t...