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U.S. Ground Troops to Search Cave Complex
Aired January 28, 2003 - 14:02 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: They're clearing the caves one by one in southeastern Afghanistan. U.S. and allied troops fought their biggest battle in months today, a shoot out with rebel militia just north of Spin Boldak on the Pakistan border.
CNN's Karl Penhaul is covering the story from Kabul, the Afghan capital -- Karl.
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Kyra. For more than 24 hours now, U.S. and coalition aircraft have been absolutely pounding a cave complex in mountains just north of the town of Spin Boldak, which, as you say, is very close to this lawless border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The target, we are told by U.S. commanders is a 100-strong column of fighters, of rebel fighters loyal to Gulbedin Hekmatyar. He is a notorious warlord, who was, in fact, an Afghan prime minister in the 1990s. Since then, he has turned against the U.S. and has joined forces with remnant Taliban and al Qaeda forces, and is waging this kind of guerrilla war.
In addition to the bombing, which we're told is now dying down, 350 U.S. combat troops have been put in on the ground. They're in a holding pattern at the moment. They're consolidating positions alongside colleagues from the Afghan army, and their role is now going to be to go through those caves one by one, clearing the caves of any fighters that may still be left there, and gathering intelligence on the operations.
Earlier in the day, we talked to Colonel Roger King. He is the spokesman for U.S. forces here in Afghanistan. We talked to him at Bagram Air Base about an hour north of Kabul, and this is what he had to say, Kyra.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COL. ROGER KING, U.S. ARMY: At least 18 enemy personnel have been killed. No coalition casualties have been reported. A total of 19 JDAMs, which are 2000 pound bombs, were dropped by the B-1s during the course of the -- yesterday evening and last night. Two GBU-12s, which are 500-pound guided bombs were dropped by F-16s from the European partners' air forces. And there were repeated gun engagements by the AC-130 and the AH-64 Apaches.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PENHAUL: There are no reports of any U.S. or coalition casualties so far. That said, this offensive, this campaign, is due to continue for some time to come.
U.S. military commanders have said they're committed to going through all these caves, and the cave complex is much better defended and much larger than they originally thought -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Karl Penhaul, live from Kabul, thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired January 28, 2003 - 14:02 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: They're clearing the caves one by one in southeastern Afghanistan. U.S. and allied troops fought their biggest battle in months today, a shoot out with rebel militia just north of Spin Boldak on the Pakistan border.
CNN's Karl Penhaul is covering the story from Kabul, the Afghan capital -- Karl.
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Kyra. For more than 24 hours now, U.S. and coalition aircraft have been absolutely pounding a cave complex in mountains just north of the town of Spin Boldak, which, as you say, is very close to this lawless border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The target, we are told by U.S. commanders is a 100-strong column of fighters, of rebel fighters loyal to Gulbedin Hekmatyar. He is a notorious warlord, who was, in fact, an Afghan prime minister in the 1990s. Since then, he has turned against the U.S. and has joined forces with remnant Taliban and al Qaeda forces, and is waging this kind of guerrilla war.
In addition to the bombing, which we're told is now dying down, 350 U.S. combat troops have been put in on the ground. They're in a holding pattern at the moment. They're consolidating positions alongside colleagues from the Afghan army, and their role is now going to be to go through those caves one by one, clearing the caves of any fighters that may still be left there, and gathering intelligence on the operations.
Earlier in the day, we talked to Colonel Roger King. He is the spokesman for U.S. forces here in Afghanistan. We talked to him at Bagram Air Base about an hour north of Kabul, and this is what he had to say, Kyra.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COL. ROGER KING, U.S. ARMY: At least 18 enemy personnel have been killed. No coalition casualties have been reported. A total of 19 JDAMs, which are 2000 pound bombs, were dropped by the B-1s during the course of the -- yesterday evening and last night. Two GBU-12s, which are 500-pound guided bombs were dropped by F-16s from the European partners' air forces. And there were repeated gun engagements by the AC-130 and the AH-64 Apaches.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PENHAUL: There are no reports of any U.S. or coalition casualties so far. That said, this offensive, this campaign, is due to continue for some time to come.
U.S. military commanders have said they're committed to going through all these caves, and the cave complex is much better defended and much larger than they originally thought -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Karl Penhaul, live from Kabul, thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
