US admits Taliban air defences still a threat

The US Defence Secretary admitted last night the bombing campaign over Afghanistan had yet to knock out the Taliban’s anti-aircraft…

The US Defence Secretary admitted last night the bombing campaign over Afghanistan had yet to knock out the Taliban’s anti-aircraft defences.

US Stealth bombers have been targeting Taliban positions

Mr Donald Rumsfeld added the US is working with anti-Taliban forces on the ground to pinpoint threatening military targets.

Mr Rumsfeld said that the five days of bombing had not suppressed all the anti-aircraft guns, surface-to-air missiles and portable missiles like the Stinger that riddle Afghanistan.

The military has also dropped powerful ‘bunker-buster’ bombs on caves in Afghanistan that US officials suspect are used by Osama bin Laden.

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Early indications are that the caves are hideouts and contained military equipment.

"I have seen several examples where there were enormous secondary explosions, in some cases, that went on for several hours after targeting underground facilities," said Mr Rumsfeld.

AP