Inside Tora Bora: The Final Hours?

Osama bin Laden's forces make a last stand in the White Mountains. Now U.S. special-operations troops aim to bring the fighting to a close

LAURA J. WINTER/AP

Wary Alliance fighters enter an al-Quaeda cave near Tora Bora

The 12 bearded soldiers making their way up a pass in the White Mountains of Tora Bora were decked out in flat-topped Afghan caps and flowing shalwar kameezes. From a distance only one detail gave them away as Americans. Afghan alliance fighters — dedicated but largely untrained — walk upright, making themselves easy targets for enemy fire. The Americans were shimmying up the hill on their bellies.

404 Not Found

404 Not Found


nginx/1.14.0 (Ubuntu)

It's no secret that American special-operations forces have been in Afghanistan, but late last week they quietly made their way to Tora Bora, to the...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!