In 1980, he fell victim to Murtaza's growing paranoia and was thrown into Kabul's notorious Pul-I-Charkhi prison for more than two years.

CNN: BHUTTO'S HEIR TO VIOLENCE

The capture of Pul-e-Khumri would cut the main north-south road through the centre of Afghanistan, leaving the remaining Taleban forces in the north stranded.

BBC: Afghan opposition push through north

The Alliance said Taleban commanders south of Pul-e-Khumri had defected, weakening the garrison in the town of Bamiyan - the Taleban's main base in the central highlands.

BBC: Afghan opposition push through north