Blair will be 'completely straight' on ground action risk

Downing Street said it was likely the British contribution would be more than the support and refuelling operations undertaken so far and that the government was in continuing discussions with the US about the use of ground forces.

Mr Blair will hold another War Cabinet at Downing Street tomorrow. He returned to London tonight after a weekend at Chequers.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw will tomorrow give a speech on the future of Afghanistan before travelling to Washington on Tuesday to hold talks with US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said today: ‘‘We would want to underline that the operations that we have seen over the weekend illustrate the progress of the military campaign and demonstrates that it is very clearly on track.

‘‘The strategy is clear and it is working. In the first instance, air power has been used to damage Taliban defences, installations, and hitting the al Qaida network itself - making the ground more conducive to other operations.’’

Asked how Mr Blair would prepare Britons for the prospect of casualties, his spokesman added: ‘‘I think the Prime Minister will continue to spell out to the British public why we have to act.

‘‘This is not just in relation to the fact that a very large number of British citizens were killed in the atrocities of September 11, there are much wider issues in terms of our national security and economic stability.

‘‘We will be completely straight with the British people about the action that we are taking as this unfolds.

‘‘We believe it is right. We have to make the case to the British people. The British people know why we are doing this. Every effort is made to keep this to an absolute minimum.’’

Mr Blair’s spokesman refused to comment on whether the SAS had been involved in the special forces operations.

But he added: ‘‘I think it is recognised that we have world-renowned expertise in this area.

‘‘In terms of overt ground forces - we are in detailed discussion with the US about what forms of UK military contribution but I think in any complex situation we only make announcements when it is appropriate to do so.’’

A senior US defence official said dozens of aircraft attacked Taliban targets as more covert ground operations were under way.

In Kabul, two homes were flattened in the residential district of Khair Khana today, killing at least eight civilians, including four children, neighbours said.

Meanwhile it was reported that the 10-year-old son of Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar has died in an attack on Afghanistan.

The BBC said the boy was hurt in the first night of US-led strikes on the southern city of Kandahar, the spiritual home of the Taliban, suffering a broken femur and severe abdominal injuries.

He later died in hospital despite treatment, according to a doctor who said he treated the boy.

As the onslaught of Afghanistan continue, the Government announced it would be cracking down on what was estimated as hundreds of anthrax hoaxes across the country by bringing in tough new legislation, backdated to midnight last night.

Anyone involved in biological, chemical, or nuclear weapon hoaxes will face seven years in jail.

Health Secretary Alan Milburn said the Government has ‘‘planned for all eventualities’’ after the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Emergency services and ‘‘frontline’’ doctors have been issued with new guidance about what to do in the event of terrorist including biological or chemical attacks.

But he insisted there was still no ‘‘specific or credible threat’’ against Britain.