US-led air raids resume on Kabul, targeting airport

The Afghan capital came under attack again late this evening, with at least four planes dropping bombs, and missiles ploughing…

The Afghan capital came under attack again late this evening, with at least four planes dropping bombs, and missiles ploughing into the city.

"We had a brief lull of some hours, but it has started again," a witness said. At least four planes are in the sky. The target seems to be the airport.

It was not immediately possible to determine the extent of any damage or casualties because of a nightly curfew that is strictly enforced by Taliban authorities.

Witnesses said, however, that the latest raids, which started shortly after dark, were the most intense night of bombing since the US-led attacks started on Sunday.

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At least four warplanes screamed over the Afghan capital Kabul and seven loud explosions were heard across the city.

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"The power supply has been cut off and the Taliban forces have started their anti-aircraft guns," a witness said.

"I think the U.S. planes have come again."

"We believe there are at least four planes and they dropped seven bombs", the witness said.

Taliban fighters were responding with anti-aircraft fire, it was reported.

US-led raids against Osama bin Laden and the Taliban have been carried out every night since Sunday.

At least 76 people have been killed and over 100 injured across the country in the raids so far, according to the Afghan Islamic Press and officials.

Earlier a Taliban official denied US claims to have destroyed Afghanistan’s air defences.

Mr Abdul Salam Zaeef, the Taliban ambassador to Pakistan, also denied reports that opposition Northern Alliance forces have made advances.

Mr Zaeef added both Taliban supreme leader Mullah Mohammed Omar and Osama bin Laden are safe and alive.

Coalition planners are now preparing for the next phase of Operation Enduring Freedomamid speculation that US and British special forces could be sent in.

Afghans clear rubble of a house in Kabul hit by US missiles

Britain’s Ministry of Defence said for the first time that RAF photo-reconnaissance Canberra PR9 aircraft - requested by the Americans - were also in operation today.

They are now expected to play a key role in the search for evidence of the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden and his senior lieutenants in the al-Qaeda terrorist network.

US President, Mr George W Bush declared the "skies are now free". He said the first attacks earlier this week took place under cover of darkness, to protect planes from anti-aircraft fire, but that was now no longer necessary.