Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah has told thousands of supporters he plans to declare victory as he claimed massive fraud was responsible for preliminary results putting his rival ahead.

Afghan officials are estimating that the turnout in a presidential run-off was about 60%, and nearly 50 people have been killed in attacks nationwide.

US airstrikes targeting a meeting of Taliban leaders killed a commander who orchestrated the kidnappings of 23 South Koreans, Afghan officials said today.

A purported Taliban spokesman today said negotiations for the lives of 23 South Korean hostages have stalled and that the militants planned to kill “a few” of the captives immediately.