Kabul takes heaviest US pounding in days

US jets have dive-bombed Taliban positions on the front line north of the Afghan capital.

They eluded at least one missile, and warplanes later pounded Kabul in the strongest attack on the city in days.

The jets repeatedly struck targets near Kabul's airport, the centre, and to the north and west.

The assault lasted past midnight and involved at least 10 waves of warplanes.

Gunners for the ruling Taliban responded with heavy salvos of anti-aircraft fire.

Bombing to the north of the capital was for control of the strategic Bagram airport - held by the opposition northern alliance but of no use because of Taliban fighters in the hills around it.

Driving the Taliban away from positions around the airport will enable the alliance to fly in troops, ammunition and supplies for an attack on Kabul, about 30 miles away.

US jets were also in action yesterday in the skies near Taliban-held Mazar-e-Sharif, striking Taliban positions to the south and east of the strategic city, whose capture by the northern alliance would open up crucial supply routes to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Opposition officials in Uzbekistan say a Taliban commander, Mullah Yusuf, and 10 other Taliban fighters were killed in the bombing near Mazar-e-Sharif.

The opposition also claimed its troops captured the village of Shurchi on the southern outskirts of Mazar-e-Sharif and took 180 Taliban prisoners.