| An American B-52 bomber attacked Taliban bases on the front line north of Kabul today, leading the heaviest day of bombing yet against Taliban positions here. It was the first time the Northern Alliance forces here had seen a B-52, and once they realized what was happening they shouted with joy. "Today was good," said Arif, a beaming alliance commander who had mocked previous American bombing attacks as inadequate. "The big plane was very good." The strikes came as signs of an alliance offensive continued to mount. Officers said local militia units as well as attack units had been mobilized. And the police set up a series of new checkpoints to block journalists from the front line. (DAVID ROHDE NY TIMES) |