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CNN Sunday Morning

U.S. Heavily Bombs Taliban Front-Line Positions

Aired November 04, 2001 - 09:05   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.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: To the U.S. war on terrorism now, and a day marked by an intensive coalition bombing blitz on the Taliban front-lines in Northern Afghanistan.

CNN's Satinder Bindra is there, and brings us the latest on the military action.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SATINDER BINDRA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We are still hearing artillery fire from United Front positions. This fire is directed at Taliban positions which you can see just over my shoulder.

Now, earlier today, we witnessed some of the heaviest U.S. bombing in this sector. The U.S. bombing started at about 4:30 this morning and lasted for about seven hours. Now, at some point, so many U.S. bombs fell on front-line Taliban positions, it was difficult to count them. The response from the Taliban side was fairly weak. At one point, we heard four anti-aircraft Taliban guns, but it appeared their gunfire did not have much effect, because these U.S. planes fly quite high.

Later in the day, we saw two U.S. reconnaissance planes cutting lazy circles in the sky here. They are visible to Taliban gunner for miles around. But again no real, effective response from the Taliban side.

So clearly it seems the U.S. bombing in this sector, which has lasted for more than a week now, has weakened Taliban air defenses. Despite that, we've seen no significant change in the military situation on the ground.

The Northern Alliance, or United Front, troops are still stuck to their front-line positions. We've been talking to some commanders today. They say their troops are ready, but they're still awaiting orders from their authorities, which are located just about 20 to 25 kilometers from here.

Satinder Bindra, CNN, Aiy Hanam Hill, Northeastern Afghanistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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