Afghan Capital Attacked, Bombs Hit Kabul-Witnesses

KABUL, Afghanistan (Reuters) - The Afghan capital was under attack Sunday night as unidentified planes dropped at least four bombs, Reuters witnesses said. "I could hear the planes and then there were at least four loud explosions," said Reuters correspondent Sayed Salahuddin. "A black plume of smoke is rising, It seemed to be very big," he said. The United States has vowed to attack Afghanistan in pursuit of Osama bin Laden, chief suspect in the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington

Copyright 2001 Reuters News Service. All rights reserved.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/wire/US/reuters20011007_162.html

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), October 07, 2001

Answers

Explosions Reported in Kabul

Associated Press Sunday, October 7, 2001; 12:47 PM

President Bush prepared to address the nation Sunday, as the United States launched military retaliation in Afghanistan.

"We are beginning another front in our war against terrorism so freedom can prevail over fear," Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer said, as explosions and anti-aircraft fire were heard in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Thunderous explosions and the rattle of anti-aircraft fire were heard Sunday night in Kabul. Electricity was shut off throughout the city.

The first explosions could be heard about 12:27 p.m. EDT. Five large explosions shook the city, followed by the sounds of anti-aircraft fire.

Power went off throughout the city almost immediately after the first of five thunderous blasts.

There was no indication what caused the blasts, which appeared to have been in the southwest of the city.

The southwestern part of Kabul includes the Darulaman Palace, an ancient royal residence, and the Balahisar Fort, an old Mogul style installation.

A curfew was in effect in the city, making it impossible to independently determine further details.

The firing tapered off for a few minutes but resumed after a jet aircraft could be heard passing over the city.

CNN meanwhile reported explosions in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar.

The retaliation came a day after Bush warned the ruling Taliban militia that time was running out for them to hand over alleged terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden and his lieutenants or face the consequences.

Bin Laden is the main suspect in the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A20077-2001Oct7? language=printer

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), October 07, 2001.

50 missiles launched in attacks, Pentagon says Copyright APonline

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The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (October 7, 2001 3:16 p.m. EDT) - The United States and Great Britain launched 50 cruise missiles against terrorist targets in Afghanistan during Sunday's attack that also involved the United States' most sophisticated warplanes, Pentagon officials said.

Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said 15 bombers and 25 strike aircraft, both sea and land-based, launched the missiles at 12:30 p.m. EDT - night time in Afghanistan.

In a briefing at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said it was too early to judge the success of the missions, begun slightly less than four weeks after the worst terrorist attacks in American history.

The campaign, he said, "is continuous."

Myers, sworn into office less than a week ago, said the attacks included B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers as well as ships and submarines in the region. He said the B-2s flew roundtrip from their base at Whitman Air Force Base in Missouri.

Rumsfeld said an initial goal of the strikes was to render air defenses ineffective and to wipe out the military aircraft of the Taliban, rulers of Afghanistan.

Rumsfeld also said that allied forces were already dropping humanitarian supplies to the people of Afghanistan. He said that 37,500 rations were planned to be dropped on the first day.

"We support the Afghan people against the al-Qaida, a foreign presence in their lands, and the Taliban regime that supports them," he said.

http://www.nandotimes.com/special_reports/terrorism/retaliation/story/ 125718p-1323223c.html

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), October 07, 2001.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/aponline/20011007/aponline152848_ 000.htm

Pakistani Airspace Used for Attack

The Associated Press, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001; 3:28 p.m. EDT

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan –– Pakistan's airspace was used by U.S. and British forces to launch attacks Sunday night against targets in Afghanistan, defense ministry officials said.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said permission to use airspace was one of the concessions granted by Pakistan as part of its support for the U.S.-led anti-terrorism coalition.

Pakistan had been the closest ally of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia until the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, which the United States believes were orchestrated by Afghan-based Osama bin Laden.

© Copyright 2001 The Associated Press

-- Swissrose (cellier3@mindspring.com), October 07, 2001.

It's about time.

-- Buck (bigbuck@trailways.net), October 07, 2001.