US 'bungled' Taleban leader's killing

WASHINGTON - The United States military reportedly had Taleban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar in its sights on the first night of its bombing raids on Afghanistan but failed to kill him.

The claim is made in an excerpt released yesterday from the forthcoming issue of the New Yorker magazine.

Journalist Seymour Hersh cites intelligence and military sources on the incident which reportedly had Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld "kicking a lot of glass and breaking doors".

US officials have said that two adult members of Mullah Omar's family were killed on the first night of the raids on October 7 but have given few details.

Hersh said that the precise sequence of events was unclear, but a US reconnaissance aircraft had identified a convoy carrying Mullah Omar as he fled last Monday.

However, under rules of engagement at the time, the CIA could not order the plane to fire its anti-tank missiles.

Instead a building housing the Taleban spiritual leader was targeted by F-18 jets - after Mullah Omar had left.

Hersh said reaction in Washington to the missed opportunity was fierce.

One unnamed military official said Rumsfeld "was kicking a lot of glass and breaking doors", and intelligence officials were said to be "crestfallen".

- REUTERS

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