The U-S Defense department says military strikes in Afghanistan have significantly reduced communications between Taleban and Al-Qaida commanders and their followers.
A Pentagon spokesman (Admiral John Stufflebeem) said communications difficulties have affected both Taleban officers trying to regroup troops in Afghanistan and Al-Qaida operatives attempting to coordinate terrorism outside the country.
He said U-S bombing raids, as well military successes of the Northern Alliance, have blocked Taleban and Al-Qaida radio traffic.
Meanwhile, a U-S television network (CBS) is reporting that significant numbers of Taleban leaders have defected and fled to Pakistan.
The supreme Taleban leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, -- in a radio message Wednesday -- ordered his men to hold their ground and "fight to the death."
U-S warplanes late Tuesday bombed two buildings southeast of Kanadahar - the last remaining major Taleban stronghold. U-S military officials said intelligence information indicated that the compound was used by Taleban and al-Qaida leaders.
The Taleban said there was no leadership activity in the compound and that its top leader - Mullah Mohammad Omar - was not injured in the U-S attack.