A TEST of the Taliban’s anti-aircraft guns sent residents of Afghanistan’s capital scurrying for cover on Friday, panicked into thinking the United States was attacking. Bursts of continuous firing erupted from positions in the hills around Kabul, where Taliban fighters have dug in air defences against expected US attacks. A Taliban official confirmed the firing was a test. ”We all thought the war with America had began,” said one resident, who was having breakfast when the firing began. ”The sudden repeated firing was like a shock and a signal that my turn to die had come.” Afghanistan has been in a state of high anxiety since September 11 in anticipation of attacks by the United States in pursuit of Osama bin Laden and his Taliban protectors. The Saudi-born militant — who lives as a ”guest” of the Taliban — is the chief suspect in the devastating attacks on New York and Washington. ”It was terrible moments for all of us,” said one resident. ”We were utterly scared and expected that the big bang from the sky was either a bomb or missile that would hit at any moment.” – Reuters