The Pentagon said today US bombers had hit a suspected Taliban leadership complex outside the eastern Afghan city of Gardez in the 12-week-old US campaign to root out forces loyal to Osama bin Laden.
Two Air Force B1-B bombers fired precision-guided missiles on Friday night at the compound, located 10 miles (16 km) from Gardez in Paktia province, in the latest reported airstrike, military officers said.
"We had indications there were senior Taliban officials at the facility," said Marine Lt. Col. Dave Lepan, a Pentagon spokesman.
US warplanes continued flying ready to attack targets of opportunity such as convoys, compounds and enemy troops, despite pressure from the Afghan Defense Ministry to wrap up US bombing, the spokesman said.
The number of suspected Taliban and al Qaeda fighters being held by the US military for questioning has risen to 150, the Pentagon also said today.
Military officers said the prisoners were being finger-printed and interrogated for clues that could lead to Osama bin Laden and his top lieutenants.