[HCDX] Voice of Shari'a

[Valerio Di Stefano <woodyhesse@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

By Yuki Sakagami, CRW Japan Bureau, and Nick Grace C., CRW Washington Bureau
[Oct 9] Minutes before a hail of missiles hit targets around an area of
Kabul known as TV Mountain yesterday, Taliban radio was attacked by a powerful
and overwhelming jammer.
During the Turkmen-language broadcast of the Kabul-based Voice of Shari'a
outlet on short wave, a bubble jammer was monitored by Clandestine Radio
Watch (CRW) correspondent Yuki Sakagami in Japan. The jamming began at 
approximately
1607 GMT, covering a wide range of frequencies and obliterating Taliban
radio's audio.
The signal strength of the jamming was so powerful that it also destroyed
reception of the station at a remote radio receiver in Sweden.
The jamming ended suddenly after 47 seconds, leaving the Voice of Shari'a
free of interference. Less than a minute later, however, the station's audio
was cut and then the transmission completely ended.
Kabul was hit at 1609 GMT by a barrage of cruise missiles and bombs dropped
from B-1 and B-2 heavy bombers. Sources on the ground in Kabul have told
Reuters that an area outside of Kabul, known as TV Mountain - where radio
and television broadcast towers are located, was strafed.
"The explosions were much more massive than last night," a witness told
Reuters. "I could see flames and debris rising from the foot of TV Mountain."
Sakagami recorded what could be the final moments of Kabul's Voice of Shari'a
broadcast. His exclusive recording can be accessed on ClandestineRadio.com
and Radio Netherlands Media Network Web site.
Pentagon officials have not confirmed reports that TV Mountain was targeted.
While U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has publicly confirmed that
it the American military is broadcasting psychological operations (psyops)
programming into Afghanistan through specially-equipped EC-130 "Command
Solo" aircraft, he has not mentioned any efforts to jam Taliban radio.
According to the Associated Press, however, Pentagon sources say "other
undisclosed radio messages" are being directed at the Taliban.
It may be too early to say if the U.S. is jamming the Taliban's Voice of
Shari'a. But after yesterday's air strikes, jamming may no longer be a 
necessity.
ClandestineRadio.com
Radio Netherlands Media Network
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