Taliban positions bombed

KABUL, NOV. 4. American warplanes resumed bombing runs early on Sunday on several Taliban positions in an effort to clear the way for advances by forces opposed to Afghanistan's ruling movement. The U.S. forces targeted Taliban lines around the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharief in the hope of making it easier for the opposition Northern Alliance to move on the city. The U.S. jets dropped bombs on the city overnight, but there were no casualties, according to the Taliban-controlled Bakhtar News Agency. In Kabul, U.S. bombs also exploded near the Intercontinental Hotel, set on a hill in the southwest part of the city. Nine people were injured, the agency said.

Capturing Mazar-e-Sharief would cut Taliban supply lines to the west of Afghanistan and enable the Northern Alliance to bring in weapons and equipment from neighboring Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The U.S. jets also struck near Taloqan in the north, and at the frontline near Kabul, Mr. Atiqullah Baryalai, the Deputy Defence Minister of the Northern Alliance, said. North of Kabul, opposition tanks and soldiers conducted military exercises ahead of a possible offensive in that area. Pak. tribesmen cross over

At least 1,500 armed Pakistani tribesmen crossed into Afghanistan on Sunday to join the Taliban in what they called a holy war against the U.S.

Shouting ``Death to America,'' bearded Pashtun tribesmen crowded into vans and the backs of pickup trucks, brandishing Kalashnikov rifles, rocket launchers and other weapons.

- AP

American dies

AFP reports from Islamabad:

The Taliban said today that an American citizen, arrested in Afghanistan 10 days ago, had died in hospital in Kandahar, the Afghan Islamic Press reported.

The Pakistan-based AIP quoted the Taliban Ambassador to Pakistan, Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, as saying the body of the man, who had initially identified himself as Mr. Mazhar Ayub, had been handed over to the Red Cross. The man, who was arrested on October 26, had been taken to Kandahar where he fell sick and was admitted to hospital.

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