US continues assault on eastern Afghan mountains
US warplanes are continuing to bomb the Shah-e-Kot mountain range in eastern Afghanistan today in the largest joint US-Afghan operation of the five-month war against terrorism.
American and Afghan fighters, backed by intensive air strikes, engaged in heavy fighting yesterday against al-Qaida and Taliban troops based in the mountains. The US claim several hundred fighters are holed up in the mountains.
A spokesman said US strike aircraft, bombers and AC-130 gunships are targeting opposition vehicles, mortars, fighters and caves.
Throughout the night and into this morning, US aircraft carpet-bombed the mountains in eastern Paktia province.
US Chinook helicopters ferried supplies to American troops who are part of a 1,500-strong ground attack in the area.
One US soldier and three Afghans were killed on Saturday shortly after the fighting began. Six Americans were also injured.
The assault began on Friday, with US and Afghan troops approaching the mountains from three directions in an attempt to isolate the al-Qaida and Taliban fighters and prevent them from escaping.
