DATE=7/28/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN OFFENSIVE (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-252241
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO:  Afghanistan's Taleban movement has launched 
major offensives against opposition forces near the 
capital, Kabul.  Although the opposition concedes 
Taleban forces have made gains, it says it has been 
able to repulse other attacks.  Correspondent Scott 
Anger reports, Wednesday's attacks come after weeks of 
speculation about renewed fighting between the 
country's warring factions.

TEXT:  The Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press says 
Taleban troops have attacked opposition forces led by 
Ahmad Shah Masood near Tagab and Koh Safi, about 45 
kilometers northeast of Kabul.  The independent news 
agency reports fierce fighting in the area as both 
sides use artillery and other heavy weapons.

The Taleban says they have captured the towns of Tagab 
and Najrab, in addition to several mountain top 
positions in the area.  The hard-line Islamic movement 
also says at least 15 opposition tanks have been 
captured.

There are  no  independent reports of casualties.

During the fighting, opposition forces fired rockets 
at Kabul's airport, a day after aid flights by the 
United Nations and the Red Cross were diverted by a 
similar attack.

The outbreak of hostilities follows the breakdown of 
United Nations-sponsored peace talks two weeks ago in 
Uzbekistan.  After Afghanistan's warring factions 
failed to reach any agreements during the talks, the 
U-N's special envoy to Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi, 
warned that renewed fighting loomed on the horizon 
because of the increasing number of arms pouring into 
the country.  Anti-Taleban forces accuse neighboring  
Pakistan of providing military support to the Taleban 
-- a charge Pakistan denies.   Meanwhile, the Taleban 
officials say they have released 200 opposition 
prisoners (Wednesday) at the movement's southern 
headquarters in Kandahar.

Since capturing the capital in 1996, the Taleban -- 
who control 90 percent of Afghanistan -- has been 
attempting to dislodge opposition forces from the 
remaining 10 percent in the northern parts of the 
country.  (SIGNED)

NEB/SA/KL  



28-Jul-1999 09:07 AM LOC (28-Jul-1999 1307 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.