KABUL, Oct 8 (News Agencies) - A fresh wave of U.S.-led air attacks were launched against Afghanistan Monday, with residents of the capital Kabul reporting bombs hitting targets on the outskirts of the city, news agencies reported.
Kabul residents said they could hear jets flying overhead and Taliban gunners responding with long bursts of anti-aircraft fire, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.
In Washington, a Pentagon official confirmed that air strikes had resumed for a second consecutive night, but gave no details.
British forces are also taking part in a second round of attacks Monday on Afghanistan, the defense ministry said, but could give no precise details.
"We can confirm [the involvement of British forces], but we have no other details for the time being," a defense ministry spokeswoman said.
More details were expected to come from Prime Minister Tony Blair in a statement to an emergency session of parliament at 6:00 pm (1700 GMT).
U.S. media also reported strikes on Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan and the Taliban southern stronghold of Kandahar.
The Afghan Islamic Press agency reported that the first wave of attacks on Taliban installations near half a dozen Afghan cities on Sunday night had killed more than 25 people.
The Taliban ambassador to Pakistan claimed the dead included "women, children and the elderly."
The resumption of attacks came shortly after the Taliban Interior Ministry and Kabul police headquarters broadcast a directive on state-run Radio Shariat, ordering Kabul residents to black out their homes and stay indoors.
"While the tyrannical attacks of the United States are being carried out, all countrymen are requested to stay in their homes and turn off the lights in their houses," the directive said.
"The citizens of Kabul should be assured that all security measures have been taken and security provided for all citizens," it said.
