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CNN Live Sunday

Northern Alliance Advances on Konduz

Aired November 25, 2001 - 18:15   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.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: In Afghanistan today, Northern Alliance forces are advancing on the city of Konduz. CNN's Satinder Bindra is following their progress, and here's his report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SATINDER BINDRA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On armored personnel carriers, in tanks and on foot, the Northern Alliance army is on a roll.

(on camera): Just a few hours ago, these Northern Alliance tanks were five miles behind the front. Now they're advancing rapidly toward Konduz. Northern Alliance commanders say they'll soon be taking over territory vacated by retreating Taliban fighters.

(voice-over): The first step in this Northern Alliance advance is the city of Khanabad, just 10 miles east of the last remaining Taliban stronghold in northern Afghanistan, Konduz.

These soldiers seem certain they can capture it without resistance, then suddenly our cameraman and producer are caught in a firefight between retreating Taliban forces and Northern Alliance soldiers.

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN PRODUCER: There would be gunfire, they would all run for cover. They would start yelling, "Taliban, Taliban." At one point, we did come upon a gun battle, where the Northern Alliance troops quickly began retreating. Two of them jumped in our car. They said, you know, "go back, go back," because they wanted to get back here to safety as quickly as possible.

BINDRA: Down the road, out of harm's way, soldiers hurriedly attend to a wounded fighter. Some Alliance vehicles appear to be in a tearing rush to pull back.

But eventually the Taliban realized they are outmanned and outgunned. They beat a hasty retreat. Northern Alliance forces make a triumphant entry into Khanabad.

The residents of Khanabad appear to be in shock. Too much seems to have happened too quickly. Just an hour ago, Khanabad's residents say the town square was occupied by al Qaeda fighters, who they say have now retreated west to Konduz. Fearful, these fighters may try to launch a counteroffensive. Northern Alliance soldiers quickly secure the city. The house of a former Taliban commander is thoroughly searched for booby traps. Then, it's time to move on.

CHILCOTE: Many of them were on foot running toward Konduz. It was sort of as if they want to get to the celebration in Konduz as quickly as possible.

BINDRA: By late evening, the senior most Northern Alliance commander in the region tells CNN his forces have entered Konduz. Here, they meet more resistance than in Khanabad. Gunfights last late into the night.

The last time the Northern Alliance was here was two weeks ago, at the invitation of Taliban commanders who said they wished to defect. Then suddenly, those commanders began firing wildly at Northern Alliance troops, forcing them to retreat. Burned once, the Northern Alliance has this time organized a more orderly surrender.

ENGINEER OMAR, NORTHERN ALLIANCE (through translator): The Taliban who retreat will be disarmed. Those disarmed Taliban will then be sent to Mazar-e Sharif.

BINDRA: All through the day, we see dozens of Taliban trucks and hundreds of soldiers crossing over into Northern Alliance territory. It's a sight few believed they could see in their lifetimes. The mighty Taliban army humbled by what many in the West once dismissed and derided as a, quote, "rag tag army."

Satinder Bindra, CNN, on the front lines near Konduz.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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