Al Qaeda planning next phase

"It was really difficult to come into Pakistan," Ahmadullah continues. "But the cordial cooperation of our tribal Muslim brethren helped us come here. They even offered their own residential compounds to us to stay for a while, may Allah reward them in paradise!"

Ahmadullah says he's been in contact with Mullah Omar. "Amirul Momineen [Omar] is living in a safe and hidden area somewhere in the northeast of Kandahar," Ahmadullah says.

"He called me twice to come to Kandahar. But I cannot go there easily, because a lot of people know me, and I am frightened they will capture me somewhere on the road. So I sent my assistant Mullah Abdul Haq Wasiq to Kandahar. Unfortunately he was captured by American agents in Ghazni."

The Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press reported this past weekend that Mr. Wasiq, identified as the Taliban's deputy chief of intelligence, was arrested by American forces near the southern town of Ghazni. But the US has not confirmed that report.

During the interview with Ahmadullah, another bearded man rushes into the room carrying a satellite phone. "There is a call for you, sir," he says.

Ahmadullah takes the phone and goes out of the room. While we calmly sit in the room, we could hear some of Ahamadullah's part of the conversation with the person on the other end of the phone.

"No, it is impossible right now," he says. "Everywhere there are soldiers and spies. I will manage to come out before Saturday.... He called me three times and told me to stay here.... OK. Sir, if you wish, I would take the risk and come there."

He speaks for about seven minutes, then comes back to the room. He is asked about various statements circulating, that bin Laden is dead.

"That is baseless, absolutely baseless," Ahmadullah says. "Osama is alive, healthy, and safe. Last night our friends in Urozgan informed me by phone that he had met Osama somewhere near the border, and he said Osama was safe. He is always in close contact with Mullah Omar.

"I am personally requested by Mullah Omar and Sheikh Osama to go to Urozgan and take the command of new guerrilla war preparations, which will start as soon as possible, and you will hear the news in papers and on BBC," he adds. "We withdrew from major cities and provinces because the ruthless bombing of Americans had killed a lot of civilians as well as our holy warriors. We took that tactical step for our safety, and we will start our guerrilla campaign against our enemies as soon as we regroup."

Somewhere around 3:15 p.m., some tribal chiefs and several religious scholars from JUI come into the guesthouse. After they exchange greetings, Ahmadullah very politely asks the reporter to leave. "If you don't mind, please leave the room with our friends here. I have an important meeting with these people."

We leave as the sun is going down behind the sandy hills and drive back to Miran Shah and then to Peshawar.

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