TALIBAN ADVANCE MAY HAVE DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES: Taliban’s advance looks unstoppable. On Monday, they took control of another provincial capital in Afghanistan, the latest in a relentless offensive as US and Nato forces finalise their pullout plans. The city of Sar-e Pul joins three other provincial capitals now fully under Taliban control: Zaranj, the capital of western Nimroz province, the city of Shibirghan, the capital of northern Zawzjan province, and Taleqan, the capital of another northern province with the same name. Apart from turning their guns on provincial capitals, the Taliban have been waging an assassination campaign targeting senior officials. Reports say almost 30,000 Afghans are fleeing the fighting each week which would eventually lead to another refugee crisis. The fighting has also raised growing concerns about civilian casualties and human rights violations. The West, especially the US and UK, must step up its efforts to help avoid dangerous consequences in Afghanistan. [COMMENT BY: Stephen N R, Senior Associate Editor]
AP