Some 150 police retreated from a drug gang stronghold 320 kilometers northwest of the capital. The drug gang had more men (250) and firepower. The government sent in negotiators, urging the gangsters to disarm, or face the American smart bombs.

In southeast Afghanistan, twelve Taliban were killed when their attack on a small American Special Forces base backfired. The Special Forces expect these attacks, and have air power on call, and surveillance equipment deployed, to quickly locate and destroy the attackers.