U.S., Britain begin second night of attacks over Kabul

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- Anti-aircraft fire crackled in the night sky over Kabul on Monday, signaling the start of a second night of attacks by the U.S. and British coalition. Power was cut shortly after the attacks began.

It appeared the Taliban were also firing surface-to-surface missiles, presumably toward forces of the opposition northern alliance about 12 miles north of the city.

The bursts of anti-aircraft fire did not appear as intense as Sunday night.

Taliban radio ordered residents to close the blinds on their windows, shut off all lights and remain indoors.

About 20 minutes after the anti-aircraft fire began, two loud explosions could be heard north of the capital in the area of the airport. A second night of attacks was underway at the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar in southern Afghanistan, a Taliban source said on condition of anonymity.

In addition to Kabul and Kandahar, the first night of strikes Sunday targeted Jalalabad, along the Pakistani border, and Mazar-e-Sharif, in the north. The compound of Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar in Kandahar, as well as training bases of suspected terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden were also hit in the assault.

It was not immediately clear what facilities were targeted in the second night Monday.