Afghan opposition forces have captured Taliban positions in northern Afghanistan in a stepped up campaign against the Islamic militia ahead of possible US attacks, the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) said Sunday.
The opposition forces launched a series of overnight assaults on Taliban-controlled areas in the provinces of Samangan, Balkh and Takhar overnight, the agency said.
They captured Zaare district, 100 kilometers west of the Balkh provincial capital Mazar-i-Sharif, after heavy fighting which left two Taliban and two opposition soldiers dead.
They also attacked the strategic hill district of Shakh Pulang in Takhar province, but were repulsed, AIP said.
No independent confirmation of the report was immediately available.
AIP said the opposition appeared to be preparing new offensives in the run up to possible US military action, as the Taliban continued to reject Washington's demand to hand over Osama bin Laden -- chief suspect in the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington -- ISLAMABAD (AFP)
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