Three Taliban leaders captured

[CHIMO]

But officials did not confirm a report by the BBC on Friday that Mullah Dadullah, a top-ranking Taliban commander, had been caught.

The BBC said Dadullah was captured by international troops in Kandahar but Afghan and foreign military officials said they could not confirm the report.

General Rahmatullah Raufi, the commander of Afghan forces in the south, said a seriously wounded militant with only one leg had been captured.

"We can't say for sure it is Mullah Dadullah. Mullah Dadullah has only one leg and this guy has only one leg, but we suspect it's him," Raufi told Reuters.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/973CB61E-60E3-4AB2-A341-2052BD9643FD.htm

[Poll_Blind]

1. All the #2 man in the organization, I hope! n/t

PB

[gizmo1979]

8. You stole my thunder.nt

[Prophet 451]

2. Karl Rove cleaned out his basement? n/t

[madeline_con]

3. Mullah Dadullah

Does the name Magilla Gorilla spring to mind? Do they make this crap up?

[CHIMO]

4. The Rest

Of the story.

U.S. expresses doubts over capture of top Taliban leader
Last Updated Fri, 19 May 2006 16:59:53 EDT
CBC News

U.S. officials are expressing doubts that a suspected senior Taliban leader was captured in a battle earlier this week and is now being held in hospital.

Afghan Gen. Rehmatullah Raufi had been quoted as saying that Mullah Dadullah was captured during the same operation that led to the death of Canadian Capt. Nichola Goddard on Wednesday. Eighteen militants were killed and 35 captured during the battle in the Panjwayi district of Kandahar province.

But U.S. military spokesman Lt. Col. Paul Fitzpatrick told the Associated Press that after checking with coalition officials, it appeared the detained man was not Dadullah.

"The best information I have — and I could be wrong — but the best information I have is that it's a 'no,' " he said.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2006/05/19/taliban-capture.html

The colonials couldn't possibly do it.

Thousands of comrades send Goddard home
Last Updated Fri, 19 May 2006 18:12:17 EDT
CBC News

http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2006/05/19/goddard-ramp.html

[life_long_dem]

6. Yes, that's it. Magilla Gorilla.

And the General's name, Rahmatullah.

Conversation in Kandahar: Hello, "Mullah Dadullah," said Rahmatullah. " Have you seen Obadullah or Fatamullah today?" "Not today, have I seen Obadullah or Fatamullah," said Mullah Dadullah to Rahmadullah. "Nor have I seen Ratamullah or Labadullah nor their cousins, Tadullah, Havullah, Samullah, Patullah or Manullah."

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[daleo]

5. Beware reports of one-legged men being captured

We all know how that goes.

[cal04]

7. Taliban commander 'alive and well'

THE Taliban dismissed charges by Afghan President Hamid Karzai that their insurgency was rooted in Pakistan and described reports that a top commander was captured as "propaganda to hide defeat." "Karzai is lying," said a statement read to journalists by a man who said he was a spokesman for the movement.

"Through false information, Karzai is attempting to divert the attention of world and the Afghan public," said the statement by purported spokesman Mohammad Hanif. "Our struggle is a national struggle against invading foreign troops," he said. The comments were said to have been issued by the Taliban leadership council, which includes the ousted regime's fugitive leader Mullah Mohammad Omar.

(snip)
The Taliban also rejected reports that the top Taliban field commander Mullah Dadullah had been captured by Afghan troops. The claims were an attempt to draw attention away from security force losses, the statement said.
"Mullah Dadullah is alive and healthy. Karzai's puppet administration is launching such propaganda to hide their defeat," Mr Hanif said, reading from the statement.

Authorities refused to confirm Saturday if they had arrested Dadullah after the military said a man they had captured in Kandahar province bore similar features to the notorious commander, including having only one leg.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19207680-1702,00.html