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U.S. targets al Qaeda in eastern Afghanistan

U.S. troops attempted Sunday to root out al Qaeda members believed to be in the eastern Afghanistan mountains.

(CNN) -- U.S. troops launched an air assault Sunday in the eastern Afghanistan mountains near the Pakistan border in an attempt to root out al Qaeda members believed to be in the region.

The lightning raid was launched by 177 U.S. airborne soldiers from the Bravo Company of the 187th Infantry of the 101st Airborne Division.

The soldiers did not find any al Qaeda personnel, but they did discover a series of caves, officials said. One cave looked like it was used as a hospital for the mujahadeen rebels during the Soviet-Afghan war, but it appeared there was not much significant evidence found.

CNN NewsPass VIDEO CNN's Mike Boettcher is with U.S. troops as they launch the assault. (June 2) Play video

U.S.-led coalition officials said they are concerned about infiltration from Pakistan by al Qaeda and Taliban fighters who are intent on disrupting the political reform process in Afghanistan.

The loya jirga -- the traditional Afghan council of tribal elders -- will meet June 10-15 to choose a transitional administration that will replace the U.N.-installed interim leadership.