US forces have followed up their first ground attack in Afghanistan with more air raids on Taliban targets. There are reports that six bombs fell on the capital Kabul while Taliban targets were hit in the north of the country.
America's top General confirmed this evening that special forces had carried out ground attacks in Afghanistan, and had killed Taliban soldiers. The soldiers, understood to number up to 200, destroyed a munitions dump and engaged enemy soldiers, leaving an unknown number of casualties on the Taliban side.
Speaking at the Pentagon, Air Force General Richard Myers said the US forces were able to deploy and move about within Afghanistan without significant opposition from Taliban forces.
The action marked the opening of a new phase in the campaign against Afghanistan's Taliban rulers. Defence Department officials in Washington gave few details of the operation, saying only that it lasted several hours and the troops had now withdrawn.
Meanwhile in Pakistan, two American personnel were killed when a helicopter crashed while supporting the military campaign in Afghanistan. They were the first American casualties of the conflict. Officials refused to say if the aircraft was involved in the commando incursion.
Up to 5,000 Afghan refugees have crossed into Pakistan following the US air strikes. United Nations officials say several thousand more refugees who have gathered at the Chaman border crossing have been prevented from entering.
