During the Soviet war in Afghanistan, the Afghan mujahideen had important forces in the Kandahar area.

Abdul Aziz was born in a well known, rich and political family in the Kandahar area.

Fighting in the Kandahar area was particularly intense.

But the Kandahar area has been controlled by a commanders' shura, or council, of local leaders from the seven parties based in Peshawar.

A senior Afghan intelligence official estimated that more than 100 had been intercepted in the past 12 months, including 20 from the Kandahar area in the south.

The only trained medical care available in the Kandahar area was 25 miles from the airport, in the city, along a road vulnerable to rebels.

But in the Kandahar area, there have been no reports of major firefights or the seizure of any prisoners in recent days.

Finally, he appears to be overseeing several armed groups in the Kandahar area.

In the Kandahar area alone, there have been three serious attacks and 14 people killed by suspected Taliban insurgents in the last four days.

Mirwais Hotak was born in a well-known, rich and political family in the Kandahar area.