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CNN Live Sunday

U.S. Forces Come Under Attack in Afghanistan

Aired April 14, 2002 - 15:42   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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: In an undisclosed area of Afghanistan, U.S. and Afghan forces came under attack last night, and the U.S. fired back. This is the first fire fight involving U.S. troops in Afghanistan since March 19. For more, we head to the Pentagon and CNN's Bob Constantini. Good evening, Bob.

BOB CONSTANTINI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good evening, Fredricka.

In the midst of all the news about the Middle East comes this reminder that the U.S. continues its war against terrorism in Afghanistan. A military spokesman there would not disclose the location of this incident. However, he did say that a battle erupted Saturday night when U.S. Special Forces and allied Afghan fighters were patrolling a road. That's when the spokesman says they were fired upon.

An AC-130 gunship, a plane that fires large-caliber ammunition, was called in to attack the area where the shooting originated while fire was also returned on the ground. And Major Brian Hellferty (ph) a spokesman at Bagram Air Base, told CNN earlier today: "We believe they killed several of the terrorists," and he added, "we believe they were al Qaeda or they wouldn't have shot at us. Hellferty (ph) stressed further investigation is being conducted at the scene to determine for certain who was responsible for the attack.

There has been factional fighting in Afghanistan that's flared up in recent weeks, but Hellferty (ph) said U.S. forces continue do be well received throughout Afghanistan.

The last major fire fight involving U.S. troops was on March 19, when 10 al Qaeda fighters were reported killed in a skirmish near Khowst. In overnight Saturday, we should report the Pentagon indicates that two mortar rounds were fired at the U.S.-controlled air strip outside of Khowst, and that no one was injured in that fire fight.

Now, being along the border with Pakistan, the area around Khowst is considered to be still heavily infiltrated with al Qaeda and Taliban fighters, and still a very worrisome area for officials here -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Thanks very much, Bob Constantine from the Pentagon this afternoon. Thank you.

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