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Gunship Joins Intensive Bombing of Afghanistan
Wednesday, October 17, 2001
(Time)
The Associated Press

There was no word whether the gunship's deployment meant special forces had entered the battle on the ground.

KABUL, Afghanistan -- AP
Heavy air cannons pounded Osama bin Laden's allies in their headquarters city as US pilots brought a specialforces gunship into action against Afghanistan's Taliban.

Intense bombing in major cities Tuesday sent residents running for shelter.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell, in Islamabad, Pakistan, was struggling to calm tensions between Pakistan and India after new fighting in the disputed province of Kashmir. The United States had been trying to head off just such conflicts, fearing it would hinder key ally Pakistan for the campaign in Afghanistan.

First use of the low-flying turboprop AC-130, following the fiercest daylight raids of the US-led offensive, marked a stepping-up of attacks on Taliban bases and leadership.
(More: Manila Bulletin News Source)
2001 © The Associated Press.

Dan