Al Qaeda attack foiled by US jets

American warplanes blasted an al Qaeda gun position as it prepared to open fire on a US special forces base in Afghanistan yesterday, amid reports that the terrorists have begun infiltrating back into the country from bases in Pakistan.

Tank-busting jets were called in by special forces teams after gunmen were seen setting up mortars on a hill overlooking the base, at an undisclosed location in southern Afghanistan.

However, an investigation of the area after the bombing showed no sign of either men or mortars, indicating either that the bombs missed or that both were removed by survivors.

? Hundreds of al Qaeda and Taliban terrorists are being set free from prison in Afghanistan in what US officials are calling rampant corruption.

Scenes of terrorists walking out of Shibhogan prison, boasting that they intend to kill again, were shown on American television last night. "These men are being released by the hundreds," ABC news reported.

One former prisoner said: "It is our duty to kill Americans." Another prisoner said: "Anyone can be released as long as he has power or knows someone in power, or has money."