The army fired scores of rockets at guerrillas Saturday but failed for an eighth day to open the main supply route to the capital. At least 22 guerrilla missiles killed 12 people and closed the airport, officials said.
A diplomat who spent most of the day waiting for a flight said air shipments from the Soviet Union had fallen Saturday to three, down from the usual 30 per day.A doctor said rockets fired by U.S.-backed guerrillas on Friday hit a base used to fire Scud missiles, killing six soldiers and wounding 18.
Markets again reported no deliveries of flour or fuel. Soldiers of the Soviet-supported government were seen at several locations, stopping taxi drivers and buying gasoline that has topped $16 a gallon.
Throughout the day, the capital was rocked by the vibrations of departing government rockets shot north to the Salang highway, the main supply route linking the capital with the Soviet border.
Government soldiers with knowledge of the battles said the northern part of the highway was held by Moslem rebels. They said government forces were trying to regain parts of the southern half of the road.
More than 2,000 trucks carrying supplies for Kabul were reported stuck on the highway north of the battles.