A published report in the United States says paramilitary units of the Central Intelligence Agency are operating in a combat role in Afghanistan.
The Washington Post (newspaper) says the C-I-A teams provided key intelligence for airstrikes last week that targeted leaders of Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terrorist network.
The American paramilitaries, who also direct flights by unmanned surveillance planes, reportedly have been supplying members of the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan with information about the location and size of Taleban and al-Qaida forces.
The Post report says the C-I-A has a number of small teams operating in Afghanistan, part of its Special Activities Division, made up of about 150 fighters, pilots and specialists.