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CNN Saturday Morning News

U.S. Bombers Pummel Taliban Front Lines

Aired November 03, 2001 - 07:08   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: There has been little letup in the U.S.-led assault in northern Afghanistan, as B-52 bombers pummel the Taliban front lines north of Kabul. And there are reports of a pitched battle for the key Taliban-held stronghold of Mazar-e Sharif, as opposition forces press towards that city.

CNN's Satinder Bindra reports from the northern via videophone -- Satinder.

SATINDER BINDRA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Martin, two things happening here. First, where I am in the northeast, we've been witnessing very heavy bombing from U.S. bombers all this morning. They're coming in waves. They come after every two to three minutes. And they're bombing Taliban front line positions, which you can see just over my shoulder. In the past several hours, we've seen several huge explosions.

Now, from the Taliban side, we've seen some antiaircraft fire, but it doesn't seem to be effective, because these planes that are bombing front-line positions here are flying very high, and they appear to be B-52s.

Now, ever since I've been here in this sector, for more than two weeks, this is the heaviest bombing that I've witnessed. So clearly the position here is getting more intense.

Now, south of here towards the significant town of Mazar-e Sharif, which you mentioned, we are hearing that there has been very heavy ground fighting. United Front, or Northern Alliance, took -- they captured a district which is about 30 miles south of Mazar-e Sharif. They're telling us that fighting broke out last night. It lasted for about three hours. By the time it was over, United Front troops are saying that some 400 Taliban soldiers defected, some 200 surrendered.

United Front troops also saying that they captured significant amounts of military equipment, which include about 50 pickup trucks.

Martin, I must add, these claims from Northern Alliance or United Front troops cannot be independently verified. All the Taliban is saying is there is intense fighting just south of Mazar-e Sharif at the moment.

Back to you, Martin. SAVIDGE: Satinder, what is going on on the ground regarding the Northern Alliance?

BINDRA: Certainly in this sector where I am, the Northern Alliance or United Front troops are watching all this bombing with great interest. They are now saying this bombing is more intense, it's more accurate. In this sector where I am, in northeastern Afghanistan, United Front of Northern Alliance troops don't seem to be moving towards front-line Taliban positions.

But as I've just reported, in Mazar-e Sharif, the United Front or Northern Alliance troops are now going forward. They say this is their most significant victory since this campaign started just about four weeks ago -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: CNN's Satinder Bindra reporting to us from the front lines of northern Afghanistan. Thank you very much.

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