DATE=8/2/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN FIGHTING (L)
NUMBER=2-252408
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: There has been no let up in fighting in
Afghanistan, where Taleban forces reportedly have made
significant gains in their military campaign to
dislodge the last remaining opposition forces. Ayaz
Gul reports from Islamabad.
TEXT: The Pakistan-based "Afghan Islamic Press" (A-I-
P) says the latest military advances by Taleban forces
have taken them up to the Panjsher valley, a
stronghold of opposition commander Ahmad Shah Masood.
But the news agency says opposition forces have blown
up the entrance of Panjsher to block the Taleban's
advance into the valley, about 90-kilometers north of
the Afghan capital.
Earlier, in pre-dawn offensives, the Taleban had
pushed back commander Masood's fighters from
strategically important towns of Charikar and Mahmud-
i-Raqi. The fall of Charikar, about 60-kilometers
north of Kabul, has paved the way for Taleban fighters
to attack the Panjsher valley.
An opposition forces spokesman (Dr. Abdullah) concedes
losses in the fighting. He says the opposition's
retreat to the Panjsher valley was a tactical move.
The Taleban has succeeded for the first time in two-
years in pushing back frontlines that were only 25-
kilometers from Kabul. That position had allowed
opposition forces to rocket the capital at will.
Since capturing Kabul three-years ago, the Taleban has
made several attempts to take the areas north of the
capital, including the Panjsher valley. Each time,
commander Masood has conceded some ground, but has
then fought back and pushed Taleban forces out.
Mr. Masood has held the Panjsher valley for 20-years
of Afghan conflict, since Soviet forces occupied the
country.
Taleban officials have dismissed reports that
opposition fighters recaptured the key Bagram airbase,
which the Taleban captured Sunday. Bagram was a key
airbase under the control of Commander Masood.
The United Nations has appealed to Afghanistan's
warring factions to cease hostilities and return to
the negotiating table. (Signed)
NEB/AG/ENE/RAE
02-Aug-1999 12:20 PM LOC (02-Aug-1999 1620 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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