SIR – David Rhodes (Letters, October 9) needs to recognise that successfully combating the Taliban is not akin to a gung-ho forcing-out of a singular despotic source like Hitler and his entourage.

Such is the compellingness of religious fanaticism that it is universally unyielding to neither force nor death.

As facts have shown, trying to forcibly wipe out such an ardent and systematic religious regime only reinforces it to increase its resolve elsewhere in the world.

Subsequently, the atrocities and oppression as perpetrated by Islamic fundamentalists like the Taliban will never be won over by counter-acts of violence – they simply thrive on it, and therefore it is feasible to assume that the war in Afghanistan will end in stalemate with more unnecessary loss of life.

The only way to make any discernible advancement in a “holy war” is that religious leaders everywhere have the conscience and courage to methodically drive home the truth that God wants all humankind to turn its back on hatred, pride, selfishness, attrition and violence and exchange it for peace, love, harmony, tolerance and respect for one another.

Saeed Shah, Harewood Street, Bradford