The long-awaited military attack on Afghanistan began last night with an aerial bombardment of Kabul and the southern city of Kandahar. Aircraft could be heard flying overhead in Quetta in Pakistan just after 8 p.m., 130 km from the border.
Pakistani military and police descended on the Quetta Serena hotel within 15 minutes of the attack. Marching in single file through the hotel hallways, the police forbade hotel guests to leave the premises. The deputy inspector of the Baluchistan police stood in the hotel parking lot and shouted orders to his troops to "beat them", referring to journalists attempting to leave.
A Reuters reporter who managed to escape reported that the streets of Quetta were quiet with almost all police activity focused on the hotel. In the city, people were gathered around television sets and many expressed outrage at the assault.
Mohamed Essa (36), described himself as a strong Taliban supporter. "The Taliban have been proud of their cause, now they should take the consequences of their policies." He said the Taliban's refusal to turn over Osama bin Laden had placed his country in the current situation.
A retired Pakistan army soldier now working as a security guard watched the television report and condemned the attack.
Mohamed Iqbac (50) declared: "It's an attack on all Muslims." Nadir Khan (43), a bookshop owner, said: "America and its allies are in haste. It's not a proper time for an attack. First of all they should negotiate."
The beginning of the military retaliation was preceded by several moves by the Pakistani government aimed at tightening control within Pakistan. A prominent pro-Taliban Pakistani cleric who has been leading anti-American protests was placed under house arrest at his home south of the Peshawar.
Maulana Fazal-Ur Rehman was surrounded by Pakistani police and intelligence early yesterday morning. His detention immediately led to anticipation that the military strike was hours away.
Later yesterday, residents near Quetta airport were evacuated. Three Pakistani air bases were reportedly being used for refuelling and landing, including Sumungli base in Quetta.
Reuters adds: Anti-Taliban fighters on the front line north of Kabul burst into song last night as orange flashes of anti-aircraft fire over the Afghan capital heralded the start of U.S. strikes.
One fighter sang and stamped his feet atop a railway boxcar used as a market stall in the village of Sari Sayad on the Shomali plain, where the front line extends 40 km north of the city.
Others taunted Afghanistan's ruling Taliban with obscenities over hand-held radio. Lights from convoys of Taliban vehicles could be seen making their way out of the capital on the Old and New Kabul roads. About an hour after the US strikes, opposition forces opened fire on the convoys with 122-mm howitzers.