One key Taliban base 'captured', forces closing in on another

One key Taliban base may now have been captured and forces could be closing in on another.

The Northern Alliance claims to have captured the city of Kunduz after a 12-day siege, and fighters in southern Afghanistan have cut off a key road to the final stronghold in Kandahar.

A commander has announced the whole of Kunduz is under the control of the Alliance.

The capture will deprive the Taliban of their last base in the north of Afghanistan.

Daoud Khan said by satellite telephone "We have control of all of Kunduz."

Meanwhile in the south, aided by US warplanes, fighters have pushed back a Taliban force and seized part of the road between Kandahar and Spinboldak.

Up to 80 members of the Taliban are reported to have been killed in the capture of the road - which leads to the militia's final stronghold.

Over the past three weeks, the Taliban have lost three-quarters of their territory, and the capital Kabul.