US troops have begun landing near the southern Taliban stronghold of Kandahar, even as Northern Alliance forces mopped up the final pockets of resistance in Kunduz, the last northern redoubt of the fundamentalist militia. ABC television identified the troops as marines.
Since 6.00 p.m. yesterday, when tribal fighters took control of the airport, a stream of US helicopters had been landing, said Mr Mohammad Anwar, a spokesman for the local commander.
Huge aircraft circled above while a stream of helicopters flew constantly in and out of the airfield, Mr Anwar said.
Some of the helicopters were described as Chinooks bringing in armoured vehicles and, if confirmed, these would be the first such US armour to land in Afghanistan since the US launched its attacks on October 7th.
Meanwhile, the Taliban's last bastion in northern Afghanistan, Kunduz, is expected to finally fall today as Northern Alliance forces continue their advance on the besieged city.
Osama bin Laden was said yesterday to have been seen at a fortified encampment 30 miles south-west of Jalalabad in the mountain village of Tora Bora in White Mountain. Some reports said he was travelling on horseback and at night, sleeping in caves and surrounded by 2,000 loyal Arab al-Qaeda guards prepared to protect him to the death.
Meanwhile, dozens of pickup trucks loaded with hundreds of Taliban fighters were reported to have arrived yesterday in Northern Alliance territory to surrender.