The World - News from July 7, 1989

Afghan forces recaptured rebel-held territory outside the eastern city of Jalalabad and killed 270 moujahedeen guerrillas in the army’s biggest offensive there in four months of fighting, presidential spokesman Sarwar Yorish said. He said government troops pushed the rebels 6 to 10 miles south and southeast of the town after an upsurge in guerrilla rocket attacks. He added that they captured 4,278 missiles, six tanks, an armored personnel carrier and 11 cannons. The armed forces supreme command said the troops recaptured key areas taken by the rebels in March. In Islamabad, Pakistan, the rebels’ Afghan News Agency confirmed the gains claimed by the government. But other rebel sources said the situation is unclear.