Taliban jets bomb opposition territory, killing 7

August 16, 2000
Web posted at: 7:19 a.m. HKT (2319 GMT)

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) -- Taliban jet fighters dropped several bombs Tuesday in the northern rebel-controlled Takhar province, killing seven people, an opposition spokesman said.

The bombs hit the center of Taloqan, the capital of Takhar, destroying houses and killing residents who had returned to their homes believing the fighting had moved away from the city, said opposition commander Saeed Hussain Anwari.

Afghanistan's Taliban, who rule more than 90 percent of Afghanistan, have been battling for several weeks to push the opposition out of its stronghold in the northern province. The intense fighting had forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee the area.

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But in recent days the fighting on the outskirts of Taloqan had subsided, encouraging some people to return, said Anwari.

No comment was immediately available from the Taliban, who has wrested control of four key towns in Takhar province in recent weeks.

The Taliban are battling the opposition forces, comprised of religious and ethnic minorities, for control of the entire country.

Copyright 2000 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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