KARAM, Afghanistan (Islamweb & News Agencies) - Waving shovels and sticks, enraged villagers surged toward foreign journalists brought here Sunday by Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia to see the devastation of a U.S. air attack.
``They are coming to kill us! They are coming for information, to tell the planes where to bomb!'' angry and terrified villagers shouted as they charged the reporters. Taliban escorts held them back.
Sunday's trip to the village of Karam in Afghanistan's eastern mountains marked the first time since the U.S.-led air campaign began Oct. 7 that the Taliban have allowed international journalists into areas controlled by the Islamic militia.
The Taliban, who escorted journalists to the village, said nearly 200 people were killed here Thursday. If true, it would be the deadliest single strike by U.S. and British warplanes.
``They are innocent people living here,'' one villager, Gul Mohammed, said. ``There is no military base. What is it they are looking for in Afghanistan? Where is Osama bin Laden? He is not here. Why did they bomb us?''
It was difficult to assess claims of casualty figures three days after the attack. Muslims traditionally bury their dead quickly.
Dozens of sheep and goat carcasses were strewn about the mud-hut village, and the air was thick with a rancid stench.
Villagers said more bodies were buried up in the mountains, taken there by residents as they fled the now mostly deserted community. (Read photo caption below)
Washington has expressed regret for any civilian victims in the strikes, which were launched to force the Taliban to hand over bin Laden, chief suspect in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Residents of Kabul, Afghanistan, point to the skies as they see what they think are allied bombers overhead Sunday, Oct. 14, 2001. Opening their second week of air strikes, U.S. jets pounded targets in Afghanistan on Sunday.(AP Photo/Amir Shah)