The World : Afghan Rebels Hit Cities

Intense fighting around Afghanistan’s two largest cities has disrupted air and road travel and caused shortages of basic supplies, Western diplomats said in Islamabad, Pakistan. Both Kabul, the capital, and the southern provincial seat of Kandahar reportedly are besieged by Islamic guerrillas fighting the Soviet-backed Communist government. The diplomats said that Kandahar, scene of the heaviest fighting in the war, is largely in ruins. Near Kabul, Afghan troops reportedly have been sent to reinforce Soviet forces dug in on high ground west of the capital. According to the diplomats, the combined forces have failed to push back a guerrilla offensive from the mountains.