The World : Afghan Rebels Down Plane

Muslim rebels firing surface-to-air missiles shot down an Afghan air force transport plane carrying government soldiers to the contested provincial capital of Kunduz, killing all 39 aboard, a Soviet official said. He gave no further details. Although Afghan President Najibullah said Monday that government forces had recaptured Kunduz, Western diplomats in Pakistan said that heavy fighting is continuing and that, with the exception of the airport, guerrillas are still in control of the city. Meanwhile, in Islamabad, the Pakistani government said it handed over to the Soviet Embassy the Russian pilot of a warplane that crossed into Pakistan and was shot down by a Pakistani F-16 on Aug. 4.