KABUL Afghanistan's opposition northern alliance Saturday claimed a series of small but strategic victories over the ruling Taleban amid preparations for a major offensive and another round of defections. Opposition Spokesman General Sayad Husain Anwari said a surprise strike by alliance troops had captured the town of Karkar in northern Baghlan province. Casualties were light. However, the fall of Karkar had cut northern Taleban supply routes to its base in Puli Khumri and secured alliance positions around nearby Nahrin, he said.

"Taleban losses included three POWs and the loss of substantial amounts of ammunition and weaponry, heavy and light," Anwari told AFP. The claims coincided with morale-boosting defections from the Taleban ranks and the recapture of further territory around Dari Suf, which has been the site of intense fighting during recent months. (AFP)