Fighting Around Kabul Airport Reported
Heavy fighting between Afghan guerrillas against government and Soviet troops was reported around Kabul airport by Western diplomats in Pakistan on Tuesday.
The diplomats, quoting reports from Kabul, also said that Soviet troops appear to be launching a new offensive in the Panjshir Valley, north of the capital.
Fighting around the heavily guarded airfield reportedly began Saturday, and on Sunday, the Muslim guerrillas fired several rockets into the Soviet military base there from hills to the east. Soviet forces replied with artillery and tank fire.
Tracer fire, either from helicopter gunships or Soviet posts on the nearby hills, was also spotted, they said. There were no details of damage or casualties.
The diplomats said they have received reports of Soviet and Afghan troops massing in the Panjshir Valley for what could be an offensive before the onset of winter.
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