Sunday, 7 October, 2001, 18:30 GMT 19:30 UK Timeline: Afghanistan air strikes Strikes are a response to the 11 September attacks

The US and its allies have launched military strikes against the Taleban in Afghanistan.

BBC News Online charts the course of events.

7 October

1353GMT The Afghan opposition Northern Alliance says the United States could launch air strikes against the Taleban "imminently".

1625GMT Reuters agency reports three large flashes in the sky 40 km [25 miles] north of the Afghan capital, Kabul.

1627GMT Several loud explosions heard in Kabul and electricity supplies are cut, city residents tell AFP agency. Anti-aircraft fire also heard.

1645GMT Eyewitnesses say there were at least four large explosions in Kabul, and report a black plume of smoke rising over the city.

1655GMT AP agency reports anti-aircraft fire stopped for a few minutes but resumed when a jet flew over the city. CNN reports explosions in the southern city of Kandahar, where the Taleban headquarters is located.

1700GMT President Bush addresses America and confirms British forces assisting the US military action.

1708GMT US attacks have destroyed a command base at Kandahar airport, CNN reports. Also reports that the Defence Ministry in Kabul hit.

1714GMT Taleban confirm bombing of Kabul, according to Afghan Islamic Press [AIP]. Downing Street confirms British forces involved in the assault.

1716GMT Reported explosions in the northeast city of Jalalabad. Northern Alliance Defence Minister Dr Abdullah Abdullah says at least three nearby training camps may have been hit. Attacks came around 15 minutes after Kabul hit.

1725GMT CNN reports Cruise missiles fired from US and British ships, PA says attacks began with missile launches.

1730GMT Taleban confirm some bombardment near Kabul airport, say AIP.

1735GMT AP agency reports a senior Pentagon official has said Tomahawk cruise missiles launched by US and British ships, and US submarines. Targets reportedly include air defences, military communications and terrorist training camps.

1751GMT UK Prime Minister Tony Blair confirms British missile-firing submarines used for attacks, and says British warplanes will join the attack in the next few days.

1816GMT Kabul residents fleeing area of the airport and ignoring a curfew, AIP says. Also claims electricity has been restored to the city.

1821GMT AFP reports explosions and fires seen around airport at Taleban-held city of Mazar-i-Sharif. Afghan opposition forces report "dozens" of US helicopters and jets flying overhead.

-- Anonymous, October 07, 2001

Answers

Bumpsie.

-- Anonymous, October 07, 2001

Additions to timeline - EDT is 4 hours behind GMT

1834GMT Osama Bin Laden and Taleban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar both survived the strikes, the Taleban ambassador to Pakistan tells AP agency.

1835GMT Pakistan says it provided designated air corridors allowing US forces to carry out strikes, but no Pakistani airbases were used.

1847GMT Afghan opposition forces are shelling Taleban positions north of Kabul, Reuters reports.

1851GMT US military officials say 15 land-based bombers, 25 strike aircraft and 50 Tomahawk missiles were used in the attack. B1, B2 and B52 bombers used.

1855GMT US Defence Secretary says Taleban anti-aircraft weapons and planes targeted to minimise the threat to US forces. Also says strikes are ongoing.

1900GMT US officials say humanitarian aid being dropped simultaneously by air into Afghanistan. No information about damage to or loss of any American planes.

1909GMT A Taleban spokesman tells AIP the US-led attacks caused no significant damage to Taleban targets, AFP reports.

1932GMT The Taleban say bombs dropped on Kabul, Jalalabad and Konduz airports caused no significant damage, AIP reports.

1937GMT Senior Taleban official claims an unidentified plane brought down in Farah province during the attacks.

1951GMT UK Ministry of Defence confirms three British submarines - HMS Trafalgar, Triumph and Superb - involved in the strikes. Only Trafalgar and Triumph carry cruise missiles.

2056GMTAP reports exchange of rocket fire between Northern Alliance and Taleban forces, near an opposition-controlled air base 25 miles north of Kabul, about one hour after the US air strikes.

-- Anonymous, October 07, 2001