The first US soldier killed during the Operation Anaconda assault on al-Qaida this month in Afghanistan may have been hit by friendly fire, officials disclosed today.

The Pentagon is investigating claims by Afghans that they have seen terror chief Osama bin Laden, it was revealed today.

Suspected al Qaida and Taliban fighters planned to kill British and other peacekeepers by setting off car bombs in Afghanistan’s capital, authorities have said.

British-led peacekeepers in the Afghan capital Kabul have received credible reports that they could be targeted by car bombs or kidnapped by Taliban and al-Qaida fugitives in a bid to force the release of prisoners.

The al-Qaida network of Osama bin Laden remains capable of carrying out terrorist acts, a US military spokesman warned today.

US Marines have discovered an enemy weapons cache in the Shah-e-Kot valley. A US military spokesman would not say whether any enemy fighters were at the site when it was attacked, or if anyone was killed.

Taliban sympathisers in Afghanistan have told an American television station their tribes will defeat the US.

Gunmen have attacked US coalition forces in eastern Afghanistan, touching off a firefight that lasted several hours.

The US general in command of allied forces in Afghanistan said today Operation Anaconda - the biggest American-led offensive in the Afghan war - would be completed in the next 12 hours.

Advancing coalition forces today claimed control of the Shah-e-Kot valley in eastern Afghanistan, sweeping all but a few small groups of al-Qaida and Taliban fighters as allied troops worked their way through the warren of mountain caves.

Hundreds of US and allied Afghan fighters swept into the mountains of eastern Afghanistan today, moving tanks into position for a final push to eradicate al-Qaida fighters making a last stand.

Hundreds of weary US soldiers descended from the Afghan mountains after a gruelling eight-day battle against enemy holdouts. US bombers pounded the caves where the remaining fighters were hiding.

US fighter jets pounded the mountains of eastern Afghanistan today, unleashing a massive barrage intended to wipe out any remnants of al-Qaida fugitives hiding in the region’s caves.

The major fighting is over in the week-long operation to clear al-Qaida and Taliban forces from eastern Afghanistan, the US Army confirms.

US fighter jets have pounded the mountains sheltering al-Qaida holdouts in eastern Afghanistan today amid reports that hundreds of fighters concentrated near two cave complexes were running low on ammunition.

Afghan troops and tanks rushed to the mountain battle zone today to bolster US led coalition forces against determined pockets of al-Qaida militants fulfilling their vow to fight to the death.

American President George Bush today wiped away tears as he paid tribute to the eight soldiers killed in action in Afghanistan this week.

British special forces and American troops are reported to be leading the hunt for Taliban leader Mohammed Omar 300 miles.

Reinforcement helicopters have been called into the fight in Afghanistan after the most feared aerial weapons were knocked out of action by Taliban and al-Qaida fighters.

Reinforcement helicopters have been called into the fight in Afghanistan after the most feared aerial weapons were knocked out of action by Taliban and al-Qaida fighters.