US bombers blast al-Qaida cave complex

United States warplanes have been attacking the Tora Bora cave complex in eastern Afghanistan.

Bombing raids have taken place almost every 30 minutes.

Tribesman are preparing to launch a major assault on its al-Qaida defenders.

Some tribesmen say Osama bin Laden is hiding in Tora Bora's tunnels and caverns.

Others in Kabul say he is more likely hiding in Afghanistan's south along with the Taliban's fugitive leader Mullah Mohammed Omar.

One man contacted by radio, and who claimed to be an al Qaida fighter, said bin Laden was not in the Tora Bora area.

"I swear by God that Osama is not present here," said the man, who identified himself as a 27-year-old Tunisian, Abu Abdullah.

He says he and other fighters, including some with families, live at the nearby stronghold of Milawa, but shelter in caves during air strikes.

For days, the eastern tribal alliance, backed by shelling from ageing Soviet-made tanks, have launched small attacks on al-Qaida positions. Al-Qaida has put up strong resistance with mortars and rocket launchers.

Haji Zahir, a militia commander and the son of provincial governor Abdul Qadir, says a tribal force of about 2,500 men is being assembled for an assault to be launched soon.