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spectr17

10-07-2001, 02:20 PM

The US and its allies have launched military strikes against the Taleban in Afghanistan.

BBC News Online charts the course of events.

7 October, 2001

1353GMT The Afghan opposition Northern Alliance says the United States could launch air strikes against the Taleban "imminently".

1625GMT Reuters agency reports three large flashes in the sky 40 km [25 miles] north of the Afghan capital, Kabul.

1627GMT Several loud explosions heard in Kabul and electricity supplies are cut, city residents tell AFP agency. Anti-aircraft fire also heard.

1645GMT Eyewitnesses say there were at least four large explosions in Kabul, and report a black plume of smoke rising over the city.

1655GMT AP agency reports anti-aircraft fire stopped for a few minutes but resumed when a jet flew over the city. CNN reports explosions in the southern city of Kandahar, where the Taleban headquarters is located.

1700GMT President Bush addresses America and confirms British forces assisting the US military action.

1708GMT US attacks have destroyed a command base at Kandahar airport, CNN reports. Also reports that the Defence Ministry in Kabul hit.

1714GMT Taleban confirm bombing of Kabul, according to Afghan Islamic Press [AIP]. Downing Street confirms British forces involved in the assault.

1716GMT Reported explosions in the northeast city of Jalalabad. Northern Alliance Defence Minister Dr Abdullah Abdullah says at least three nearby training camps may have been hit. Attacks came around 15 minutes after Kabul hit.

1725GMT CNN reports Cruise missiles fired from US and British ships, PA says attacks began with missile launches.

1730GMT Taleban confirm some bombardment near Kabul airport, say AIP.

1735GMT AP agency reports a senior Pentagon official has said Tomahawk cruise missiles launched by US and British ships, and US submarines. Targets reportedly include air defences, military communications and terrorist training camps.

1751GMT UK Prime Minister Tony Blair confirms British missile-firing submarines used for attacks, and says British warplanes will join the attack in the next few days.

1816GMT Kabul residents fleeing area of the airport and ignoring a curfew, AIP says. Also claims electricity has been restored to the city.

1821GMT AFP reports explosions and fires seen around airport at Taleban-held city of Mazar-i-Sharif. Afghan opposition forces report "dozens" of US helicopters and jets flying overhead.

1834GMT Osama Bin Laden and Taleban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar both survived the strikes, the Taleban ambassador to Pakistan tells AP agency.

1835GMT Pakistan provided designated air corridors allowing US forces to carry out strikes, but no Pakistani airbases were used, a government spokesman says.