TALIBAN STOP NORTHERN ALLIANCE'S OFFENSIVE IN BAMIAN








ISLAMABAD, March 9, 2001 /Vladimir Shreter, RIA Novosti Correspondent/ -- The Afghan province of Bamian, where the Taliban have been destroying ancient Buddha statues for the last few days, has become the scene of renewed fighting of opposed factions.


	The Taliban have succeeded in stopping the offensive of Hezbe-i-Wahdat Shiite forces allied to the Northern Alliance near the town of Panjwan. Last Wednesday's battle raged for several hours. Three Taliban were killed, with their adversaries' death toll mounting to 5.


	Northern Alliance forces seized a few villages in the provinces of Samangan and Balkh this week. The offensive was launched from the Daraye-Souf Valley. According to a Northern Alliance spokesman, Mohammad Ashraf Nadeem, the Taliban lost dozens of soldiers and 20 Taliban surrendered.


	On the occasion of the Eid al-Adha Islamic feast, the conflicting sides have released some prisoners of war from jail, with the Taliban releasing 150 inmates, and the Northern Alliance--22.