Allied forces combed through the rubble of smashed caves in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan today, searching for information about the al-Qaida fighters who had sought refuge there.

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.

A US Army helicopter has made a hard landing in eastern Afghanistan, injuring 14 soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division.