People burn US aid in eastern province: Taliban

KABUL, Oct 10 (AFP) - A Taliban militia official said Wednesday Afghans in the eastern province of Khost had burned US food aid rather than accept "satanic" gifts from the enemy.

"The Muslim people of Gurbuz, Tani and Sabri districts of Khost province yesterday (Tuesday) burned the foodstuffs dropped by American planes," said Abdul Hanan Hemat, the chief of Taliban's official Bakhter Information Agency.

"They called it a satanic attempt by the Americans to make mischief between the Emirate (Taliban) and the people of Khost."

The United States has been dropping food in conjunction with its air raids against the Taliban, amid warnings that millions of Afghans are on the brink of famine due to relentless war and severe drought.

Khost is believed to be home to several alleged terrorist training camps which may have been targeted by US and British forces since the start of the air campaign on Sunday.

But there have been reports that the Taliban's grip on power is slipping in the area. Last week the Taliban agreed to share power with community elders in the province to guarantee their continued support.