U.S. switches to low-level attacks

KABUL, OCT. 16. The military onslaught against Afghanistan took a decisive turn today with U.S. forces bombing the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar in the first low-level aerial attacks of the campaign. The daytime raids followed all-night attacks involving at least two AC-130 gunships - a heavily-armoured plane with formidable cannon firepower and a helicopter-like ability to move slowly over battlegrounds.

A report from Moscow, quoting Russia's commercial channel NTV, said the opposition Northern Alliance today captured the key strategic northern town of Mazar-i-Sharief in Afghanistan with the assistance of 4,000 Taliban fighters who switched sides. There was no independent confirmation of the report.

- AFP, PTI

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