Military

DATE=10/16/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-281848

TITLE= AFGHAN ATTACKS (L)

BYLINE= JON TKACH

DATELINE= ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:

Witnesses in Afghanistan report heavy explosions

outside Kabul and other cities early Tuesday, as the

American campaign aimed at flushing out Osama bin Laden's

Al Qaeda terrorist network continues. As V-O-A's Jon

Tkach reports from Islamabad U-S Secretary of State

Colin Powell is in the Pakistani capital for talks

with President Pervez Musharraf.

TEXT :

Strong explosions were heard overnight near the Afghan

capital, after what witnesses described Monday as the

heaviest daylight strikes of the campaign, so far.

In a sign of how previous raids have crippled the

Taleban defenses, the American-led strikes included

a slow-moving, low-flying airship designed for

ground strafing missions. It marks the first

acknowledged use of special forces aircraft in the

assault on terrorism.

U-S planes also dropped leaflets telling Afghans the

anti-terror alliance is aiming to help them. One of

the leaflets shows a Western soldier shaking hands

with an Afghan man, with messages of goodwill in local

languages.

In Northern Afghanistan, anti-Taleban forces say they

are poised to take the key town, Mazar-i-Sharif.

Meanwhile, diplomats are looking ahead to plan a possible

post-Taleban government. A delegation representing

the former king of Afghanistan, Zahir Shah, arrived

yesterday to meet with Pakistani officials. Riaz

Mohammed Khan is Pakistan's foreign ministry

spokesman.

/// KHAN ACTUALITY ///

The context of the discussions are of course the

situation in Afghanistan and the effort which has been

intensified by the United Nations for promoting a

broad-based government in Afghanistan.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

Secretary Powell is also in Islamabad for

talks. Pakistan's government has been urging the

United States to quickly finish the military campaign.

The mainly-Muslim country has been facing

demonstrations called by religious leaders opposed to

the U-S / led raids, and pressure on the government has

been rising as unconfirmed reports of civilian

casualties mount.

Secretary Powell heads to New Delhi later today.

(signed)

NEB/JON/WD