Soviets Seek Afghan War MIAs

The Soviet Red Cross issued a worldwide appeal today for information on the fate of 311 Soviet soldiers captured or missing in action during the more than eight-year war against the Muslim rebels in Afghanistan.

Soviet officials estimate that about a third of the 311 soldiers missing in Afghanistan were killed in action and that the rest are prisoners in Pakistan, Afghanistan or Iran. Tass press agency said the appeal was directed at any country or organization that may have information on the missing soldiers. Tass said only eight Soviet POWs have returned home. Most of them claim to have been held inside Pakistan in subhuman conditions.