Taloqan Falls to Northern Alliance Troops

On Sunday the Northern Afghan city of Taloqan fell to Northern Alliance troops, further consolidating the Alliance's push against Taliban forces in the north of the country. The only remaining Taliban stronghold in the north is the city of Kunduz, 40 miles west of Taloqan.

The city of Taloqan, was the former capital of the Northern Alliance until it was captured by the Taliban 18 months ago. It was recaptured Sunday afternoon when 2 senior Taliban commanders defected to the Northern Alliance side taking 5,000 soldiers with them. The Northern Alliance has also reportedly captured the strategic town of Pul-e Khomri which is on the main road from the northern provinces south to Kabul. This means Taliban forces no longer have a retreat route to the south.

Although large numbers of Taliban fighters have defected or been taken prisoner by the Northern Alliance, there were still some Arab and Chechen troops fighting a last stand battle late Sunday night in Kalakata 25 miles north of Taloqan.