WASHINGTON (KRT) ­ U.S. combat jets appeared to pound front-line Taliban troop positions north of the Afghan capital of Kabul on Sunday in what would be the first strike of that kind.
A Pentagon spokesman would not confirm the attack, but two American jets were seen streaking overhead in Jibal Saraj inside rebel-held territory about 15 miles north of Bagram air base. Explosions were heard in the distance a short while later.
The jets flew in from the north and appeared to be hitting positions on the other side of Bagram, toward Kabul, though there was no official confirmation that they hit the Taliban front lines.
If the jets hit the Taliban front lines, it would be the first time that air strikes have been used to support a ground offensive by the anti-Taliban rebel army known as the United Front and the Northern Alliance. Such cooperation would signal a widening of the U.S.-led campaign to oust the Taliban from power and destroy Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida terrorist network.
Since U.S. and British military strikes began in Afghanistan on Oct. 7, U.S. military officials have avoided lending direct aid to United Front rebels while diplomatic efforts are focused on building a post-Taliban coalition government.
Pakistan, a key partner in the U.S.-led anti-terrorism alliance, wants to replace the Taliban but staunchly opposes a takeover by the United Front. American and Pakistani officials hope Afghanistan’s 86-year-old former king can forge a post-Taliban coalition government.
Experts say that Special Forces soldiers are likely to help train and equip rebel forces and possibly to coordinate U.S. air strikes as the rebels advance on Kabul and other Taliban-held territory.