The loss of the commander was its biggest reversal since 2008, when the previous No. 2, Raúl Reyes, was killed in a bombing raid in Ecuador; its leader, Manuel Marulanda, died; and 15 of its hostages were freed in a daring rescue.
But for a government that increasingly appears to be pinning hopes of survival on military force, the loss of top commanders is more than just an embarrassment.
PAGE A6 Russian Generals Killed In the second major loss of Russian commanders in Chechnya recently, a helicopter carrying senior officers exploded.
The loss of veteran commanders and the imprisonment of established leaders such as Mullah Baradar have contributed to disunity in the Taliban's upper ranks, according to Gopal and other researchers with extensive Taliban contacts.
On the right flank, the regiment was soon stopped by minefields and forced to retreat, while the bulk of the 2nd Guards Brigade advanced until it wavered following the loss of a company commander and five soldiers.
The loss of the Pecheneg commander turned the battle into a complete rout, and panic spread to the Bulgarian contingent following behind the Pechenegs, which also suffered heavy casualties in the general chaos.
The loss of the top commanders is one thing.
The loss of the military commanders is a serious blow to the organisation.
"No one is more conscious of the loss of life than the commander of the forces," he said.
Although his officers expressed regret at the "loss of such an excellent Commander, such a sincere Friend, and so affable a Companion," he quit the service with a sense of frustration.
