An Associated Press reporter at the scene in the Khair Khana residential district saw bodies of five of the dead - three women and two small children. Corpses of the others, including another two older boys and a man, had been taken away, neighbours said. Residents pushed and shoved to get a look at the destruction.

"This pilot was like he was blind. There are no military bases here - only innocent people," said one resident, Haziz Ullah. As the bulldozers searched for more bodies, another jet screamed in high overhead and the residents scrambled for cover, with even ambulances on the scene roaring away. However, no more bombs were dropped by that aircraft.

Taliban officials said 18 people had been killed in today's attacks on Kabul.