Fighting in rugged southern Afghan mountains killed at least 24 militants and five Afghan forces yesterday, while the US military acknowledged that the Taliban have grown in “strength and influence” in recent weeks.

The Northern Alliance is preparing to storm the city of Kunduz, where hundreds of Taliban fighters have reportedly surrendered.

The United Nation's special envoy in Kabul has said a conference must be set up outside Afghanistan to create a broad based government for the country.

A delegation of Pakistani religious leaders and government officials left today for talks with the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan, in a new attempt to break the deadlock over Osama bin Laden.