The Taliban will step up attacks on foreign occupation troops in Afghanistan this year and kill anyone who negotiates with the occupants and puppet karzai administration, a senior Taliban commander has said.
Taliban Mujahiddeen staged a surprise comeback last year with the bloodiest violence since US-led occupation troops forced them from power in 2001.
Mullah Dadullah, a Taliban commander, said that there would be more attacks on Nato and US occupation forces this year.
Dadullah told Reuters by satellite telephone:
"Guerrilla attacks on Nato, American and occupation forces will continue and increase this year. The Taliban will inflict heavy casualties on them."
Dadullah said the Taliban had used a winter lull in fighting to draw up new war plans to inflict maximum damage on occupation forces. Afghan fighting traditionally falls off during the winter when snow blocks mountain passes.
Dadullah said:
"They will soon come to know about the Taliban's strength and war strategy. We will attack with such a force they will have no time to settle."
The commander ruled out any negotiations while foreign occupation troops were in the country and threatened dire consequences for anyone who held talks.
"Those who negotiate in the name of the Taliban will be killed," he said.
Agencies
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