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CNN's Zain Verjee has more on the Taleban and how they've emerged as such a powerful force in Afghanistan
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CNN's Satinder Bindra reports on the anger over the Taliban's decision to destroy ancient Buddhas in Afghanistan
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CNN's Peter Humi has more about these 2,000 year old statues of the Buddha
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The Islamic militia wants the statues destroyed within the "next few days," a spokesman for the Taleban's reclusive leader told The Associated Press.
"There is no chance at all that we will reverse our decision to destroy all Buddhist statues, regardless of the criticism from the world," the spokesman said from southern Kandahar. "This is a matter of our religion. The order will not be reversed."
While the order covers statues across the country, two towering Buddhas carved into the cliff-face above the town of Bamiyan have been at the center of the controversy.
Erected in the third and fifth centuries, they are regarded as some of the finest examples of early Central Asian art.
One stands 120 feet (36 meters) high and the other, at 170 feet (51 meters), is believed to be the world's tallest standing Buddha.
Confused reports
Over the last week media reports have said that the Taleban started pounding statues with anti-aircraft fire and bombs but it is not clear how much damage has been done since outsiders have been kept away from the sites.
Demolition was interrupted for the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha, or festival of sacrifices, but the holiday ends Thursday.
The Tableban's bid to erase Afghanistan's Buddhist past has sparked widespread condemnation with Buddhists, Christians and Muslims around the world saying it is not only destroying unique cultural treasures, but is damaging the cause of both Afghanistan and Islam.
Meanwhile, U.N. Security Council members in New York have added their voices to a global chorus of pleas that the Taleban stop smashing their priceless relics, saying they are destroying "part of the world's cultural treasure."
Special UNESCO envoy Pierre Lafrance is expected to meet with Taleban leaders in Kandahar later this week and U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan is to issue a plea during a visit to Pakistan this weekend.
Taleban unmoved
But the Taleban has been unmoved by the objections, saying that Afghanistan's pre-Islamic history is of no interest to them.
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Years of civil war has left Afghanistan in riuns
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In particular, the Taleban has dismissed the United Nations' criticism, saying the world body has been against them since they gained control of most of the country in 1996.
The Taleban rule 95 percent of Afghanistan and only three nations have diplomatic ties with the group.
Observers have said the decision to destroy the country's pre-Islamic heritage may have been a response to the isolation felt by the Taleban since U.N. sanctions were imposed in January for failing to surrender Saudi militant Osama bin Laden.
The Taleban's latest move has further damaged ties to an isolated country already facing a humanitarian crisis and in dire need of aid. Observers have said it is unlikely to help the Taleban's quest for international recognition as Afghanistan's rightful rulers.
The Taleban want to establish the world's purest Islamic states and have already issued a series of strict rules governing the way Afghans must live their lives.
Afghanistan was a center of Buddhist culture before Islam arrived some 1,200 years ago.
The Associated Press & Reuters contributed to this report.
RELATED STORIES:
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Analysis: Buddha's fate signals Taleban divisions
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Afghanistan: Treasure chest of early Asian culture
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