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CNN Sunday Morning

U.S. Troops Destroying Afghan Caves Along Pakistani Border

Aired June 02, 2002 - 08:28   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: We turn our attention now to Eastern Afghanistan where troops are targeting caves. You're looking at exclusive pictures right now.

Our Mike Boettcher joins us live from video phone to tell us more -- Mike?

MIKE BOETTCHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) on the Pakistan border in Afghanistan with a company of the 101st Airborne Division, the 187th Infantry. They have just blown three al Qaeda caves, and they are going to blow two more later today.

They were brought in here on a helicopter-borne assault this morning, believing that this was being used (ph) as an infiltration route for al Qaeda. The al Qaeda, it has been known by intelligence sources in the coalition, are going to try to infiltrate from Pakistan from base there -- into Afghanistan to disrupt the political process here, specifically the loya jirga. Now, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) caves just exploded, you just missed it by a few seconds. It was a huge explosion, and you can see the cloud of dust coming down the valley. And it is coming (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in which they believe some al Qaeda operatives or Taliban were staying over the past few weeks (ph). They hope to try to detain these people (UNINTELLIGIBLE) out of the area. So, the operation continues here in the (UNINTELLIGIBLE). The Army is giving us an opportunity to show this operation lab (ph) here, but we cannot give you the exact location because the operation is ongoing at the present time -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Mike, these are definitely amazing pictures. We did -- we did get that explosion live as you were bringing it to us. I can -- I have a hard time hearing you, so forgive me if I'm asking you a question that you've already answered. I've been trying to make out what you have been saying.

But, why these caves? What kind of intel did troops get that has them specifically targeting these caves?

BOETTCHER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

PHILLIPS: Mike, can you hear me OK?

BOETTCHER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

PHILLIPS: OK, we're having a difficult time hearing our Mike Boettcher, but once again, to let you know, he's there in Eastern Afghanistan, exclusive access with the U.S. troops there as they continue to blow up caves in the area, looking for intelligence leads, tracking them to the al Qaeda network. We'll try and get a better signal with him, and bring you more on that exclusive coverage.

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