The World - News from Nov. 14, 1988

Afghan rebels launched two rocket attacks on Kabul, the capital, hitting a key Soviet helicopter installation, the area around the city’s airport and other targets, the Soviet news agency Tass reported. Diplomats said the report was probably aimed at underscoring rebel plans to continue their attacks, which is what led to Moscow’s decision earlier this month to suspend its troop withdrawal. Kabul Radio did not mention the rocket attacks but did report that Afghan troops have recaptured much of a strategic highway in eastern Afghanistan after heavy fighting in which 69 rebels were killed and 71 were injured. Rebel sources confirmed the fierce fighting but said guerrillas still controlled about half the route, between the Pakistan border and the government-held city of Jalalabad.