News In Brief

Soviets reported digging in along key Afghan valley

Soviet forces are digging in for a long stay in Afghanistan's Panjshir Valley but are still facing guerrilla attacks in areas outside the valley along the main highway from Kabul to the north, Western diplomats said Tuesday.

The Soviet Army, which has advanced farther into the valley than in its six previous Panjshir offensives, was building fortified encampments at Rokha and Bazarak, about halfway up the valley, they said.

To bolster its claim that the valley is under communist control, the Kabul government has been pressuring Panjshiris in the capital to return and has jailed about 50 who refused, the diplomats told journalists here.