Military

DATE=11/06/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-282749

TITLE= AFGHAN ATTACKS (L)

BYLINE=JIM TEEPLE

DATELINE= ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Northern Alliance forces say they made significant gains near the

strategic city of Mazar-e-Sharif on Tuesday, capturing several key positions

on the outskirts of the city. V-O-A's Jim Teeple reports from Islamabad.

TEXT: Northern Alliance commanders have been fighting for weeks to capture

the Taleban stronghold of Mazar-e-Sharif, which straddles a key supply route

between Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan -- as well as a major highway

to Kabul.

After more than a week of heavy air strikes by U-S B-52 bombers, Northern

Alliance commanders report they have gained control of Zari Bazar, Baluch

and Wyemar areas in Balkh province. The area is about 50 kilometers

south of Mazar-e-Sharif. Alliance forces say they have also captured

several Taleban commanders. Those reports have not been independently

confirmed.

In Pakistan, senior officials had no comment on the battlefield claims.

Aziz Khan a Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman repeated Islamabad's

position that Pakistan seeks a broad-based post-Taleban government in

Afghanistan.

// KHAN ACT //

We have stated repeatedly that no one group or entity should be allowed an

advantageous position inside Afghanistan. We support a broad-based

government, we support a broad-based effort, we support a position where all

Afghan parties can together create a political dispensation to all Afghan

people.

// END ACT //

U-S planes are also continuing their attacks against Taleban positions about

50 kilometers north of Kabul, where Taleban fighters have heavily fortified

positions in the hills overlooking Bagram air base.

The Northern Alliance holds the base but has been trying to secure its perimeter so the air-field can be used to bring in badly needed humanitarian supplies and ammunition that will be essential for any prolonged assault on Taleban held cities.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld says the number of U-S ground troops

inside Afghanistan has now more than doubled, but he will not say what the how

many are there. The Pentagon chief says the troops are in at least four

locations - helping to target air strikes. (Signed)

neb/jlt/KBK