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| Afghanistan |
| Kandahar raid struck leadership compound |
| 2001-10-21 |
The airborne commando raid into southern Afghanistan overnight Friday attacked a military airfield and a headquarters compound of Mullah Muhammad Omar, the Taliban's leader, in a daring strike to uncover information about the location and activities of Taliban and Al Qaeda leaders. Meeting only light resistance, the predawn assault was conducted in at least two locations about 60 miles apart by more than 100 Army Ranger paratroopers and other helicopter-borne Special Forces troops. Privately, military officials strongly suggested that covert action aimed at the Taliban and Al Qaeda leadership was still under way. Other missions could be launched, spurred by intelligence gathered from the overnight raid or in anticipation of movement or other responses by the Taliban and Al Qaeda, these officials said. Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the Special Operation forces "accomplished our objectives," although neither Mullah Omar nor other Taliban or Al Qaeda leaders were present during the attack on a Taliban compound near the southern city of Kandahar, the Taliban's spiritual center. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |