...and new revelations are flowing in:

• It was leaked that the real objective wasn't the elimination of potential suicide weapons, but the targeted liquidation of Taliban leaders.

• There are reports that behind this was a govwernment-chosen escalation of Bundeswehr rules of operation. But the government can't decide that: it§'s parliament's prerogative.

• SPIEGEL found and interviewed an eywewitness: one of the drivers (whose life was saved by the bombing as the Taliban wanted to execute him). He said the kidnappers numbered only 25, were Taliban, but also poor villagers (some lacking shoes) who wanted the fuel for their village: a robbery.

• He reported that many of the people of the other village who came to help were familiar with and on friendly terms with the Taliban, and wanted the fuel for themselves too.

• He also said that only one Taliban leader cruised up, but left after ten minutes -- targeted killing, forget about it.