Military

DATE= 03/04/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-287107

TITLE=AFGHAN FIGHTING (S ONLY)

BYLINE=GARY THOMAS

DATELINE=KABUL

CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

INTRO: Fierce fighting continues in eastern Afghanistan between American-led forces and remnants of the Taleban and the al-Qaeda network. The fighting now appears to be some of the heaviest of the anti-terrorist campaign in that country. As V-O-A Correspondent Gary Thomas reports from Kabul, the operation is shaping up to be a prolonged one.

TEXT: U-S forces continued their assault, Monday, in the Shah-e-Kot Mountains in Paktia Province.

For the fourth straight day, American warplanes dropped thousands of pounds of explosives on al-Qaeda and Taleban positions. Afghan forces -- accompanied by U-S soldiers -- engaged in heavy firefights with al-Qaeda fighters.

The progress of the fighting cannot be independently confirmed, because of U-S military secrecy and the remote location of the battle front. However, wounded Afghan fighters have said the ground assault -- which began early Saturday -- stalled when it ran into unexpectedly heavy resistance.

Estimates of the force arrayed against the American assault range from several hundred to several thousand al-Qaeda and Taleban fighters. Analysts believe the rough terrain and the fanatical determination of the opposition will likely make the task of the U-S effort long and difficult. (signed)

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