Military action followed warnings from USA in the last several days that Taleban must hand over Osama Bin Laden after September 11ths suicide attacks. Fifteen bombers, 25 strike aircraft and 50 Tomahawk cruise missiles were deployed by mostly US forces. The Taleban regime's air defences and command centres were the main targets. In addition to the attacks on Kabul, the Taleban stronghold of Kandahar and the eastern city of Jalalabad have each been hit at least twice since the operation began late in the evening (Afghan time) on October 8.

The bombings according to US official sources are expected to carry on for several evenings to come.

US forces later air-dropped relief to Afghanistan, including 37,500 ration packs.

Osama Bin Laden and Mullah Omar are reported to have survived the attacks.