Ahmed also serves as a line to other anti-Taliban commanders who live here and appear to be waiting for the right moment to join Mr. Karzai.

The anti-Taliban commanders in the south come from the one tribal group, the Pashtun, but this does not mean that they are united.

From the other side of the city, another anti-Taliban commander, Gul Agha, was reported to be moving north toward Kandahar.

Samangani was a known anti-Taliban commander and politician.

The two anti-Taliban commanders who fought with Mr. Karzai were also killed.

Rival anti-Taliban commanders vied for control as gunmen cruised the streets.

General Amanullah, an anti-Taliban commander from the north of the province, said: "They will be helping them in the villages.

Atta Muhammad Yalani, 50, had come to look for his brother, a well-known anti-Taliban military commander.

The villages were remote places in remote mountains, and the angry anti-Taliban commanders were themselves unsure of the locations.

"He is the most credible anti-Taliban commander."