13 feared dead in Afghan infighting

Published December 2, 2002

HERAT, Dec 1: Up to 13 people were feared dead and dozens wounded on Sunday in fierce fighting between troops belonging to two rival commanders near an airbase in western Afghanistan.

The fighting began when commander Amanullah Khan launched an attack on positions held by the powerful governor of the province of Herat, Ismail Khan, in the Zeer Koh area, 10kms from Shindand air base, a spokesman for Ismail Khan said.

“It started when Amanullah’s forces attacked our positions and advanced toward Shindand bazaar, but they were forced back to their positions,” Sayed Nasir Ahmad Alawi, security chief in Herat, told reporters.—Reuters

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