Ground Assault Launched Against Suspected Al-Qaeda Hideout in Eastern Afghanistan: AIP

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, March 03, 2002

Ground Assault Launched Against Suspected Al-Qaeda Hideout in Eastern Afghanistan: AIP

Afghan fighters on Saturday launched a ground assault against suspected Al-Qaeda hideout in Arma area in eastern Afghan province of Paktia, according to the Peshawar-based Afghan Islamic Press (AIP).

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Afghan fighters on Saturday launched a ground assault against suspected Al-Qaeda hideout in Arma area in eastern Afghan province of Paktia, according to the Peshawar-based Afghan Islamic Press (AIP).

Saifullah, head of the local council in Paktia province, told the private news agency that two of the Anti-Al-Qaeda fighters were killed while five others injured during the fighting. He gave no details on casualties of the Al-Qaeda side.

"Our troops are attacking Al-Qaeda positions with tanks and artillery. Al-Qaeda fighters are responding with mortars," he said.

According to the AIP, three front lines have been established near the suspected Al-Qaeda hideout in Arma, some 40 kilometers southeast of Gardez.

Forces from Gardez are manning the northern front line, forces from eastern Khost province are on the eastern front line while the third is occupied by troops from Urgun in neighboring Paktika province to the south, it said.

According to an early AIP report, U.S. warplanes resumed air attacks overnight against Al-Qaeda positions in the mountains of Arma, where around 500 Al-Qaeda members, including Arabs and their foreign supporters, were believed to be hiding.

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