Military

DATE=10/22/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-282097

TITLE= AFGHAN ATTACKS (L)

BYLINE= JON TKACH

DATELINE= ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:

Taleban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar has again called

on his forces to stand strong against the American-led

military campaign. His most recent statement comes

after U-S forces stepped up bombing raids on Taleban

frontlines outside Kabul and near a strategic northern

town. V-O-A's Jon Tkach reports from Islamabad.

TEXT:

The Pakistan based Afghan Islamic Press quotes the

reclusive Taleban leader as saying he is confident

Taleban fighters will be victorious in their fight

against what he calls "cruel" U-S forces.

Mullah Omar is also quoted urging Muslims around the

world to continue demonstrating against the

military campaign.

A-I-P says the statement was released Monday from an

undisclosed location in the southern stronghold,

Kandahar.

Though little bombing has been reported Monday, U-S

forces pounded targets outside Kabul and the key

northern town, Mazar-i-Sharif, Sunday, hitting

sites along the Taleban's frontlines. Anti-Taleban

forces have been pushing for air strikes to aid their

advance, which has stalled in recent days.

Meanwhile, Taleban officials say they are distributing

arms throughout the country in an effort to boost defenses

against U-S ground assaults.

Taleban officials also say they have evidence that

their forces shot down a U-S helicopter.

They have displayed what they say are parts of a U-S

aircraft found scattered in a mountainous region near

Kandahar -- an area where elite U-S forces carried out

hit-and-run attacks two days ago.

U-S officials have directly denied those claims and

say all aircraft involved in the raids returned safely

to base.

The Pentagon did acknowledge a U-S Blackhawk

helicopter on stand-by for search and rescue crashed

in neighboring Pakistan. But they say it was an

accident and that the Taleban had no role in bringing

it down. (signed)

NEB/JON / WD