Military

DATE=10/18/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-281948

TITLE= AFGHAN ATTACKS

BYLINE= JON TKACH

DATELINE= ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:

U-S planes have stepped-up bombing raids near the

Taleban stronghold, Kandahar, in southern

Afghanistan. As V-O-A's Jon Tkach (pron: KOTCH)

reports from Islamabad, the military campaign aimed at

flushing out Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda

terrorist network has stretched into its 12th day.

TEXT :

Witnesses report a series of strong explosions near

Kandahar and the city's airport, as low-flying jets

streaked through the skies above Afghanistan.

Taleban authorities say five people have been killed

and more than ten others injured in the most recent raids

there.

Bombs also hit sites near the capital, Kabul, overnight

and into the morning. One strike ignited a major fuel

depot, sending flames and black smoke high into the

sky.

Reports also say the American-led strikes are hitting

Taleban positions and targets outside Mazar-i-Sharif,

where Northern Alliance forces say they are battling

the Taleban and are poised to recapture the key northern

town.

Several relief agencies have called for a temporary

halt in the hostilities to give them time to move in

food and other relief supplies to avert what they say

could be a serious humanitarian crisis.

/// REST OPT FOR LONG ///

Meanwhile, elite U-S troops are reported to be

poised on an aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean.

The anti-terrorism alliance has also stepped up

propaganda efforts. In addition to dropping leaflets

with messages of friendship for the Afghan people, a

U-S plane is transmitting messages calling on Taleban

fighters to defect. (signed).

NEB/JON/WD