U.S. forces end al-Qaida occupation of hospital

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- Afghan troops backed by U.S. Special Forces wearing "I love New York" buttons lobbed grenades into hospital Monday then stormed the burning ward, killing all six al-Qaida gunmen in a firefight.

The gunmen, who had holed up there for nearly two months, had repeatedly refused to surrender.

After the assault, the bloodied ward was littered with limbs blown off by the grenades. The bodies of the pale, thin fighters lay about the floor and under a bed, clothed in sweaters and uniforms.

The attack on the al-Qaida holdouts was ordered after they repeatedly refused to surrender. The wounded Arab fighters had been brought to the Mir Wais Hospital in Kandahar by their comrades shortly before anti-Taliban forces took over the city Dec. 7.

Armed with weapons and explosives, they threatened to blow themselves up if anyone tried to take them prisoner, Afghan authorities said.

'Stand clear!'

American troops could be heard shouting "stand clear!" as heavily armed Afghan fighters tossed explosives into the hospital wing, shattering windows, in a dramatic final attack shortly after noon calls to Islamic prayers echoed over the city.

The crash of heavy gunfire reverberated through the area as troops stormed the building. American and Afghan troops had surrounded the hospital before dawn and fought intermittently with the gunmen through the morning, setting parts of the building on fire.

"These Arabs fought to the death," said a U.S. soldier who identified himself only as Maj. Chris. "Up to the last minute, we told every man to surrender. None of them listened."

Afghan and U.S. soldiers sealed off roads leading to the hospital and refused to allow journalists to approach the building. Afghan fighters, citing instructions from U.S. Special Forces, also ordered journalists off nearby roofs where they were watching the attack.

In Washington, Admiral John Stufflebeem, deputy director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said there were no casualties among U.S. troops. He said several Afghans were wounded but "only one would be considered serious."

Some of the injured Afghans were transported to the nearby U.S. military base at the Kandahar airport for treatment, said Maj. Mike Gibler of the 101st Airborne Division. He did not know their number or condition.

Escapes never confirmed

Initially about 10 al-Qaida fighters were holed up in the hospital. One blew himself up with a grenade Jan. 8 when Afghan guards thwarted his escape attempt, and two others were captured in December. Two men were also said to have escaped, but that was never confirmed.

About two weeks ago, food and water were cut off, but Afghan officials believe sympathetic staff may have smuggled in provisions.

Afghan authorities said the assault was ordered before dawn after the al-Qaida fighters refused a surrender ultimatum. The Arabs opened fire when they saw American soldiers approaching.

"The Arabs saw them, and they started firing," said Najabullah, an Afghan commander. He said the al-Qaida men also threw grenades.