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Ethnic Fighting Erupts in Afghanistan
Friday, August 2, 2002
(7:12 AM GMT)
Reuters

Tajik-dominated forces of Herat Governor Ismail Khan are accused of attacking ethnic Pashtuns.
Image Credit: l'Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The spokesman for Kareem Khan demanded that President Hamid Karzai and the United Nations send a delegation to the area to observe the situation, AIP said.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Reuters
At least 50 soldiers and civilians were killed in a battle between ethnic Tajiks and Pashtuns in western Afghanistan, an Afghan news agency quoted one of the factions as saying.

The Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) on Thursday said the Tajik-dominated forces of Governor Ismail Khan and forces loyal to local warlord Mohammad Kareem Khan fought a pitched battle near Ghurian, some 65 km (40 miles) west of Herat city.

The AIP quoted a spokesman for the Pashtun warlord as saying the Tajik forces, backed by tanks, had attacked Pashtun positions.

He accused Ismail Khan's forces of torching the houses of Pashtuns and said many people were burned alive.
(More: CNN.com News Source)
2002 © Reuters, Ltd.

Dan