KABUL, Aug 7: Thousands of people have fled the Afghan provincial capital of Taloqan as Its defenders prepare for an onslaught from the Taliban religious militia. opposition sources said today, reports AFP.

They said the Taliban had tightened their grip on the northeastern province of Takhar, with fresh territorial gains on Sunday after more than a week of fighting.

Die city was virtually empty as whole families headed for remote opposition-held areas. Including Badakhshan, a province about 40 km to the east.

"One end of the column might have already reached the centre of Badakhshan," said Mohammad Habeel, a spokesman for anti-Tailban commander Ahmad Shah Masood.

The people of Taloqan have

been totally evacuated.”

He said local people fled in fear of reprisals and heavy air attacks if the Taliban captured the city, and were heading to areas bereft of food.

The spokesman called on the international community to rush help to the fleeing civilians.

The Taliban broke opposition front lines on the main road between Takhar and the adjacent province of Kunduz late Sunday.

They have captured the areas we controlled in Kunduz (province. to the west of Takhar)." Habeel said, adding Masoods troops lost high ground on both sides of the road.

He said the new front Unes were In the Bang! area, around 35 kilometres west of Taloqan. the same area where Masood mounted a defence two years ago.

before the Tailban briefly captured Taloqan.

"We control only 30 per cent of Bangl." Habeel said.

The fierce dawn-to-dusk clashes of Sunday had subsided, he said, and Masood s forces were now preparing their defence of Taloqan. hoping to crush the Taliban advance in street-to-street fighting if necessary.

Taloqan. built on a plain surrounded by picturesque hills and mountains, is the Taliban's latest target after a 10-day offensive in the northeast.

Dey have already captured the towns of Nahreen and Burka in Baghlan province as well as Ishkamish in southern Takhar, slicing through Masood's supply Unes linking his stronghold in the Panjshir valley to the border with Tajikistan.