The Northern Alliance says it is boosting its troop strength in the strategic Panjshir Valley.

US war jets pounded Taliban positions north of Kabul today in the fourth straight day of front line assaults apparently aimed at helping the opposition advance on the capital.

Large crowds have attended the funeral of the main leader of the anti-Taliban forces in Afghanistan, Ahmed Shah Masood.

At least four people were killed and 20 others wounded in an earthquake that hit northern Afghanistan last night, an opposition spokesman said today.