Seoul cash `fuels Taleban blitz'

[FarCenter]

Source: The Standard (Hong Kong)

Millions of dollars handed over to secure the release of South Korean hostages in Afghanistan have been used to buy weapons deployed against British and US forces in the country, Taleban fighters claim. According to the group, the money has also been used to train recruits to carry out terrorist attacks in Britain and the United States.

South Korea has repeatedly denied claims by Afghan officials that it paid cash to secure the release in August of 21 Christian volunteers who were held for nearly six weeks. But Taleban fighters involved in the conflict in Helmand province said US$10 million (HK$78 million) handed over in two installments had been used to boost operations in Afghanistan and abroad.

"It was a God-sent opportunity," said Mullah Hezbollah, 30. "It has helped us to multiply our stockpile of weapons and explosives to wage battle for at least a year or so." He said the money had been paid in August, shortly before operation Nusrat (victory), an offensive against coalition troops that ran throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which finished last week.

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Mullah Mohibullah, 32, said some of the money was being used to train volunteers from Britain and the United States to carry out attacks in their homelands. "We want to destroy them, the way they have destroyed our country. Most of these youths are suicide bombers."

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