The Taliban movement has widely regrouped itself in Afghanistan, mostly along the Pakistan-Afghanistanborder areas. The social, geographical and political characteristics of the whole of this tribal belt favorthe Taliban fighters, and the Pakistani, US and Afghan authorities just cannot control the Taliban in thisspecific region.
The guerilla war in Afghanistan has really taken shape since October 2002. Earlier, between October 7, 2001,and December 2001, heavy US precision bombing had coerced the Taliban to leave their controlling positions anddisperse to places where they could find a shelter. Mullah Omar's decision of retreat from Kabul and Kandaharforced most of his commanders to hide themselves in Pakistani tribal areas. Ordinary Taliban foot soldierseasily melted into the civilian Afghan population. Several replaced their black turbans from Pakhool andjoined the new Afghan administration. Many chose to go back to their tribes and resumed a routine life asordinary citizens. However, the Taliban took only a few months to prove that US claims of destroying theirnetwork were wrong.
By October 2002, the Taliban had widely regrouped. Most of their top commanders including Mullah Akthar Usmani,Mullah Dadullah and Maulana Jalaluddin Haqqani restored their links and were subsequently able to contacttheir followers, restoring the 'struggle'. Their messages, circulated through pamphlets and audio tapes, gavea general call for jehad against the occupying foreign forces.