They also think, mistakenly, that Buddhists worship the Buddha and that the statues are therefore idols. The Taleban leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar, had ruled that the statues could be preserved so long as they were not worshipped. But concern has persisted that a specially zealous Taleban could seek to destroy them. There is particular worry now over one Buddhist statue, which was found in Kabul. It is an exquisite one metre-high carving which is thought to be unique.
Experts say it is impossible to put a value on it.
Slow progress in Kashmir talks Links to more South Asia stories are at the foot of the page.