Taliban using internet in propaganda war

The Taliban have been increasingly using the internet, in yet another bid to regain power in Afghanistan.

The outfit, which was dethroned by the US-led military coalition invasion in late 2001, had outlawed internet, TV, video player, cinema, photography and all kind of entertainment during its six-year rule which collapsed in late 2001.

It is, however, now largely relying on the internet to send out messages to the world about its activities, Xinhua reported.

The Taliban today have several websites to publish reports about their military and political activities. The outfir wants to re-establish what it calls the "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan".

Contrary to the past, which the fundamentalist outfit had banned filming, the Taliban have now put on display the clips and footage of suicide attacks, roadside bombings and car bombings against the security forces.

Their websites in English, Arabic, Dari, Pashtu and Urdu languages, are full of stories, articles, clips and photos of Taliban activities.

The Taliban, during their rule in Afghanistan, did not allow any living creature to be pictured. However, today they post photos and clips of their fighters.

Xinhua said that in another bid to get public attention, the Taliban are also running a studio named "Manbaul Jihad", which films their activities, including suicide attacks, and posts them on websites.