The Taliban stronghold of Jalalabad was reported to have fallen today to a warlord who has refused to ally himself to either side in the war for Afghanistan.

For the first time in weeks, relieved residents of Kabul awoke today after a night free of the nearby crash of US bombs.

Explosions jolted the strategic northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif early today as United States warplanes targeted areas near the front lines in strikes coordinated with anti-Taliban fighters, Afghans on both sides said.