WASHINGTON (Islamweb & News Agencies) - U.S. secret warriors launched dark-of-night covert missions into Afghanistan in addition to assaults by airborne Army Rangers on a Taliban-controlled airfield and a residence of Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, U.S. officials said Saturday.Two U.S. soldiers died in a helicopter crash in neighboring Pakistan.
Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the Rangers ``accomplished our objectives,'' although neither Omar nor other Taliban or al-Qaida leaders were present during the attack on a Taliban compound near the southern city of Kandahar. (Read photo caption below)
The two soldiers, whose identities were withheld until relatives were notified, were the first acknowledged combat deaths of the U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan, which began Oct. 7. Myers said heavy dust clouds created by the chopper's rotating blades during a landing probably caused the crash.
Three other Americans were injured in the crash of a Black Hawk helicopter, and two Rangers were injured while parachuting onto an airfield in southern Afghanistan at the outset of the raid, Myers said.
Officials would not disclose the role of the Black Hawk, although some believed it was preparing to swoop across the border into Afghanistan in the event any Rangers had to be rescued.
Myers would not discuss other U.S. ground operations under way inside Afghanistan. Another senior defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said covert ground operations meant to be kept secret even after they are over were under way Saturday. The official offered no details.
No reporters were present during the Ranger raid. Although the Pentagon at a Saturday news conference showed a few video clips taken by its own camera operators - including one of Rangers parachuting onto the airfield - it was not possible to tell how the operation was carried out.
Myers said some details will be kept secret to deny the ruling Taliban any foreshadowing of future ground attacks.
U.S. bombing continued Saturday at approximately the same scale as Friday. Attacking were dozens of Navy strike aircraft, several Air Force bombers and a few Air Force fighter-bombers.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Richard Myers briefs reporters on the overnight raid by U.S. commandos in southern Afghanistan at the Pentagon in Washington Saturday, Oct. 20, 2001. Meyers said about 100 Army rangers and other commandos 'attacked and destroyed' terrorist and Taliban targets and that overall the mission was 'successful'. (AP Photo/Hillery Smith Garrison)