KABUL (Reuters) - Fearful Afghans have began fleeing the country as their hardline Taliban rulers vowed to wage a holy war against anyone helping Washington launch attacks on the country and urged Muslims to fight to their deaths.

Hundreds of residents in the Afghan capital Kabul -- convinced the United States will soon launch retaliatory strikes for the devastating terror attacks on New York and Washington -- were packing up to leave.

Many aimed to cross the border into Pakistan, but faced with 10-day waits for passports and visas some resigned themselves to seeking refuge in rural areas.

"Those who have the means ... are all leaving for Pakistan, but it's a long process to get passports and visas," said one resident.

The Taliban also told the few remaining foreigners in the city to evacuate "for their own safety", the group's Afghan Islamic Press agency said.

Most already have, although the fate of eight foreign aid workers held by the Taliban for over a month on charges of spreading Christianity remains uncertain.