Afghans Launch Offensive

Thousands of Afghan troops backed by tanks and helicopter gunships have launched a major offensive in northern Afghanistan in an attempt to recapture a guerrilla-held fort, rebel sources said. Jamiat-i-Islami, one of the largest groups fighting the Kabul government, said the Afghan army began the drive Nov. 3 in Takhar province, near the Soviet border. Reports told of heavy fighting with losses on both sides. The rebels captured the fort last August after several days of fighting in which the garrison of about 300 soldiers was killed or captured.