Undeterred, US forces in the south geared up to track bin Laden and his cohorts in mountainous terrain riddled with tunnels and caves. Giant C-17 cargo aircraft flew into their base near Kandahar for the first time, bringing in heavy equipment.
The Pentagon said its aim was to go after top leaders.
"If we break the leadership of the Taliban and break the leadership of al-Qaeda, there is reduced motivation for troops to stay loyal to the cause and continue to fight," Rear Admiral John Stufflebeem told reporters.
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