1.
GV Airbase with Hind helicopters on ground, gunships in flight (4 shots)
0.19

2.
GV Truck and jeep patrolling perimeter
0.32

3.
GV Helicopters being shot at from ground (3 shots)
0.51

4.
SV Soviet fixed wing aircraft
1.01

5.
GV Pairs of helicopters circling in valley (2 shots)
1.07

6.
GV & SV Helicopters attack village (4 shots)
1.18

7.
GV & SV Villagers digging in rubble following attack (6 shots)
2.00




Initials Rdel/BB





Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In Afghanistan -- Soviet forces are intensifying their air campaign against combined guerrilla groups. The latest film to arrive in the West shows intensive Soviet military activity at an unnamed airbase, somewhere in Afghanistan. It was shot by patrolling members of the Jamiat, the country's second largest guerrilla group. Other film taken during patrols by the Harakat guerrillas, shows helicopters attacking an Afghan village. These pictures were shot in Logar and Kabul provinces. Reports on the battles came amid indications of a large increase in Soviet air activity throughout Afghanistan. Moscow is said to be using its latest fighter, the SU-25. Massed attacks by this aircraft are producing saturation bombing raids on suspected guerrilla strongholds. The latest communiques reaching the West indicate the fighting is not going well for Soviet and government troops. The Mujahideen guerrillas claim to be keeping their enemy confined to bases, and to the larger cities. Soviet forces are said to be unable to move outside these strongholds, except in heavily protected convoys.