Biding their time before blood spills

TALIBAN militants are “biding their time until we leave Kabul and then the bloodletting will start”, a former British Army major declared.

The fighters who have seized power in Afghanistan claimed they will not seek revenge and said it would honour women’s rights.

But Major General Charlie Herbert urged the British not to be “seduced by these smooth words”.

He said the Taliban is waiting for international forces and journalists to leave before unleashing havoc on the people.

Britain must evacuate as many people as we can as quickly as possible in “our Dunkirk moment”.

Maj Gen Herbert said: “The Taliban need international recognition. They’ve taken power by force and they’re now desperate for international recognition.

“So of course they’re going to use these charming words.

“There is simply no evidence they have moderated in any way, shape or form.

“That press conference was a farce. They are waiting, they are biding their time until we leave Kabul and then the bloodletting will start when there are no journalists and no internationals to see it.”