Taliban smash opposition base in eastern Afghanistan: radio
KABUL, June 27 (AFP) - The ruling Taliban militia has smashed an opposition base led by former governor Haji Abdul Qadir in eastern Afghanistan, state run Radio Shariat reported Wednesday.

"The military centre of Haji Qadir was eliminated Tuesday," the broadcast said, adding that 17 opposition fighters were killed and a quantity of arms and ammunition seized in the operation.

The centre, located in Kama district 50 kilometers (31 miles) northeast of Nuristan province, was destroyed in "cooperation" with the local population, the radio said.

Qadir served as governor of the Eastern Zone, comprising Kunar, Ningarhar and Nuristan provinces, before the Taliban seized Kabul in 1996 and ousted former president Burhanuddin Rabbani.

He returned from exile in Europe this year and joined the anti-Taliban movement of Rabbani, who has established his parallel government in the opposition-held Badakhshan province in northeastern Afghanistan.

The hardline Taliban control some 90 percent of Afghanistan while the opposition, who hold pockets of influence, are resisting the Islamic militia's ambition to bring the whole of the war-torn country under its control.