Eye on a crisis: A blitz of headlines

Our roundup of newspaper coverage of the anti-terrorism campaign begins in Britain, where the start of Operation Enduring Freedom dominates the front pages.

The Guardian reports that 50 cruise missiles were fired into Afghanistan and that the prime suspect in the terror attacks on America, Osama bin Laden, has tried to rally Muslims.

The Times carries a picture of the night-time attack on Kabul with quotes from United States President George W. Bush and bin Laden.

Bush says: "We will not waver, we will not tire ... Peace and freedom will prevail."

Bin Laden says: "America will never taste security unless we feel it in our land and in Palestine."

Saying "The campaign begins", the Independent reports that waves of bombers and cruise missiles were sent against targets in and around Kabul and Kandahar.

The Sun calls the attack a "blitz" and says the Taleban is "on its knees".

The Mirror shows infra-red footage of missiles slamming into Taleban targets with the word "Attack". And the Daily Express headlines the story "Onslaught" over the picture of a cruise missile being launched. Across the Atlantic, USA Today reports that the wave of air strikes is only a first step. "Military officials refused to comment on whether ground troops will become part of the military attacks, but the US has moved special operations commandos into the region to conduct helicopter strikes against bin Laden's terrorist network."

The New York Times reports that the opening aerial campaign could go on for a week and will be followed by ground operations by Special Forces units to garner information and hunt the al Queda leaders.