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CNN Sunday Morning

Bombings Intensify in Kandahar After Two-Day Lull

Aired October 28, 2001 - 08:03   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.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: Journalists on the scene in Kandahar, Afghanistan say the bombs are falling on that city again after a two-day lull. And there are reports of civilian casualties.

We get the latest now from Kamal Hyder, who joins us by videophone from Kandahar -- Kamal.

KAMAL HYDER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Jeanne, the aircrafts over Kandahar appeared about six hours ago, almost 11:30 Afghan Standard Time. It is now coming up for evening as the sun sets, and because of the intense activity over Kandahar after a lull of about 24 to -- about 24 hours. There is considerable activity over the skies of Kandahar. And as we speak, we can still hear the faint sounds of the aircraft engines.

Early today, these aircrafts apparently coming quite low over Kandahar, obviously because there is no triple-A fire into the air against them. Taliban authorities told us a little while ago, also -- and they said that the civilian casualties in the Kabul area were -- showed how accurate the Allied bombing was. And they also said that the Allied bombing -- you know, they say, that it is very accurate, and apparently they hit Northern Alliance positions, which says a lot for the bombing campaign, they added.

And, of course, most people here now believe that tonight there may be added attacks since the daylight runs, but probably reconnaissance -- Jeanne.

MESERVE: How's the civilian population reacting to this? Have they become accustomed to these air raids?

HYDER: Yes. The civilian population has become accustomed to this because they've been -- Afghanistan has been at war for 23 years. But the civilian population is gradually beginning to shift away -- you know, from the assurances. I mean, they do not believe in the assurances given to them, the authorities say. And most people here say that they don't feel secure when the -- when the bombing run started, because civilian casualties are happening. And many people here say that they are very, very apprehensive about this -- Jeanne.

MESERVE: Kamal Hyder in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Thank you.

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