US Jets Launch Heaviest Daytime Bombing of Kabul

US warplanes Monday mounted their heaviest daytime raids on Kabul since airstrikes began last week.

Wave after wave of jets passed high overhead and at least four large explosions were heard around the city, which has now been under siege by the world's most powerful military machine for eight days and nights.

The jets first appeared over Kabul about 6:15 am (0145 GMT) and the first explosion occurred less than 30 minutes later, a reporter in Kabul said.

A second explosion was heard about 9:20 am and two more went off between 10:00 am and 11:30 am.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage but a large cloud of dust could be seen in the north of the city -- usually a sign that some sort of mud-brick building had been hit.

After attacks last week which were concentrated on the airport just outside the city, US attacks now appear to be aiming at Taliban military bases, many of which are within the city and close to residential areas.

The post-dawn air assault on Kabul started about five hours after US warplanes ended a night attack, which residents said resulted in at least seven explosions.

The reporter said the Taliban fired a much heavier series of anti-aircaft batteries at the US planes during the post-dawn attack on Monday than during the previous attack.

US-led forces, which began their air assualt on Afghanistan on the night of October 7, also staged daytime raids on the eastern city of Jalalabad.

At least 10 explosions were heard on the outskirts of the city, with the bombing starting around 8:30 am.

"Two bombs were dropped at our military headquarters east of Jalalabad airport, a Taliban culture and information ministry, Haji Attiqullah Azizi, said.

Azizi gave no details of damage or casualties.

(China Daily 10/15/2001)