Backed by relentless American air strikes, a new offensive was underway on Friday to try to dislodge Al-Qaeda fighters from positions above the Tora Bora cave complex, as the US sent more Special Forces intensifying the hunt for the elusive Osama bin Laden.
American B-52 fighter jets bombed the Al Qaeda positions in the mountainous position in Afghanistan while anti-Taliban ground forces launched their own attacks amidst indications that bin Laden may be trapped in the area.
There were conflicting reports about the presence of Laden in the mountainous caves with the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) reporting that bin Laden had left Tora Bora and has gone to an unknown place.
American B 52 fighter jets bombed the Al Qaeda positions while anti-Taliban ground forces launched their own attacks and were locked in heavy combat around the Tora Bora mountains.

An Afghan commander said that the Northern Alliance fighters on Friday took a cave that apparently had been occupied recently bin Laden.

Bureau Report