US take a break in Afghanistan bombing

US jets have eased their round-the-clock bombardment of Kabul after a pre-dawn pounding.

The move comes on the Muslim holy day amid reports that special US forces are on the ground in southern Afghanistan.

Residents took advantage of the break in the bombing to flee from likely targets of more strikes.

Taliban officials have denied reports the US-led air offensive has claimed its first victim in Osama bin Laden's inner circle.

The Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press, quoted Taliban sources as confirming the man had died.

But the Taliban insist it was due to a munitions accident, not a US bomb.

Yesterday, the 13th day of the campaign, US pilots returned for strikes at Kabul, Kandahar and Jalalabad.

Daylight brought a break in the bombing in Kabul, and families gathered belongings and children to move their households away from Taliban military targets in the city.

Attacks resumed at midday, with at least two bombs hitting Kabul.

At least five residents of the capital died, including four members of one family, when bombs came crashing through their roofs.