The Taliban threatened on Saturday to launch a fresh offensive across Afghanistan this coming week, as President Hamid Karzai said international forces have yet to secure large parts of the country. The Taliban said the offensive starting Monday will include assassinations of government officials, roadside bombs and suicide attacks against foreigners and those who support them.
"All foreign invading forces will ultimately face defeat," the Taliban said in a statement sent to reporters from an e-mail address used by the militants. Defence Minister General Abdul Rahim Wardak quickly dismissed the threat as insurgent propaganda. He said the Taliban do not have the ability to launch a series of attacks across Afghanistan.
Moreover, he said, intelligence reports show many of the Taliban commanders currently are across the border in Pakistan. "I doubt seriously that they have the capability to do something like what they claim," he said. 'I do believe it is a propaganda campaign rather than a reality."
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