The World : Afghan Rebels Attack City

Afghan guerrillas said they launched a major attack on the eastern city of Jalalabad, but the Soviet-backed Kabul government said its forces retaliated with artillery and air attacks, causing heavy casualties. The official Kabul Radio, monitored in Pakistan, said government forces killed about 250 Western-backed guerrillas after they launched a three-sided attack. Rebel spokesman said the attack was aimed at capturing the airport and three government bases. The rebel offensive, begun last month, has been bogged down by heavy bombing by government planes and by mine fields. The guerrillas want to establish Jalalabad as the capital of their government in exile.