Taliban, Northern Alliance Clash Near Tajik Frontier

Taliban and Northern Alliance troops clashed close to the Tajik frontier yesterday. A rifle and artillery skirmish started 300-400 metres off the Tajik frontier on the Afghan side, morning, opposite the Tugul strongpoint, and a kilometre off the frontier opposite the Kupletin strongpoint, say Russian Frontier Service Tajik contingent PR. The Pyanj frontier unit reported local clashes involving artillery between the Taliban and an anti-Taliban coalition unit. The Taliban and the Northern Alliance also clashed last night opposite the Ai-Kul strongpoint of the Pyanj frontier unit.