Afghan guerrillas under siege

Press, 22 April 1986, Page 10

Afghan guerrillas under siege

NZPA-Reuter Islamabad Afghan rebels fighting the Soviet-backed Government have suffered heavy casualties in fierce fighting in regions bordering Pakistan, say radio and travellers’ reports. Afghanistan’s official Kabul radio said 300 rebels had been killed in recent" fighting in the Khost and Tani areas of Paktia province, in eastern Afghanistan. Pakistan-based rebels said Soviet jets were attacking guerrilla positions round-the-clock in renewed fighting near a key guerrilla base at Zhawar, in Paktia. About 170 Muslim rebels had died at the southern city of Kandahar while trying to break a siege by Soviet and Afghan Government troops, said travellers and

wounded from the fighting. The sources in the Pakistani city of Quetta said Communist forces had encircled and attacked Kandahar’s old city to try to flush out rebels who controlled its bazaars. More than 5000 guerrillas had come from all parts of Kandahar province to attack the Communist ring but seemed to be up against superior Soviet and Afghan forces backed by heavy air and artillery bombardment, Quetta-based rebels said. Rebel sources said more than 1000 rebels managed to slip out of the city into orchards that lie to the north, where they came under renewed attack. They said there were also heavy civilian casualties