Remains of 44 anti-Taliban fighters buried

The remains of 44 anti-Taliban fighters believed to have been massacred in a battle six months ago have been buried.

About 150 men prayed beside two small graves in Shindand.

The men said the Taliban had left the bodies for animals to prey on.

The burial was possible only after the Taliban militia lost control of the town 75 miles south of Herat.

Several skulls and other skeletal fragments were wrapped in shrouds and buried Tuesday in the two graves. Mourners said each grave was a monument to 22 fighters. After filling the graves, they placed an ammunition belt over each mound instead of flowers.

Jamal Taheri said his brother Anargol had commanded the group of Afghan fighters that infiltrated Afghanistan from bases in Iran six months ago.

He said five of the group were captured by the Taliban and tortured until they gave the location of the others. The Taliban then sent in helicopter gunships to wipe out the force, which had been hiding in the mountains.

Jamal Taheri said his family had been able to sneak into Afghanistan to retrieve his brother's body months ago but had had to leave behind the others.