Number of U.S. commandos in Afghanistan to be doubled

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, NOV. 6. The Bush administration is resorting to a number of measures - military, psychological and political - in an attempt to force the pace of operations in Afghanistan.

The number of commandos on the ground has been increased but the Pentagon continues to refuse to give out their exact number. The Taliban front lines are being heavily bombed and for the first time in several years, the United States is using 15,000-pound bombs known as `Daisy Cutters'. The massive

bombs literally incinerate everything in a 600-yard range and were supposedly used last in the final year of the Vietnam War. The U.S. has already been using the 5,000-pound `Bunker Busters' to target caves and underground facilities used by leaders of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

On Monday, it was announced that the number of commandos inside Afghanistan would be doubled. Special Forces have been in position over the last three weeks and are said to be playing a key role in identifying targets for air strikes. Military personnel are also in the ranks of the Northern Alliance.

The U.S. is also actively sourcing additional facilities closer to Afghanistan. Senior military officials said this would enable not only a quicker reaction time but also cut down on mid-air refuelling. Washington is particularly interested in facilities in Tajikistan and is also studying the possibility of using an airstrip in Northern Afghanistan.

The Pentagon is also stepping up the war on the psychological front. Pamphlets saying ``We are watching'' and which carry pictures of the Taliban chief, Mullah Mohammad Omar, and a licence plate that supposedly belongs to one of his vehicles are being dropped.

In an attempt to put the heat on the Taliban, the administration has appointed Mr. James Dobbins as the Representative to the Afghan Opposition Groups. The veteran diplomat and troubleshooter will not only liaise within the State Department but also with Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, United Nations' Special Envoy for Afghanistan.

Mr. Dobbins will work closely with the South Asia Bureau and its Assistant Secretary, Ms. Christina Rocca, and the newly-appointed Special Coordinator for Afghanistan, Mr. Richard Haass.

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