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Russia denies participation in Afghanistan strikes

Arun Mohanty in Moscow

Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov has denied reports that Russian troops are in Afghanistan to participate in military strikes against the Taleban.

Ivanov told the news agency Ria-Novosti: "Participation of Russian forces in any military operation is impossible."

He was responding to questions about media reports that there has been a large influx of Russian technicians, pilots and military advisors to help Afghanistan's opposition Northern Alliance.

Russian troops have been helping the alliance in its fight against the Taleban regime for several years.

Pavel Felgenhaur, a leading defence observer, was quoted as saying that the Russian soldiers had helped move tanks and other heavy military hardware from Tajikistan to Afghanistan. He alleged there are 1,000 to 2,000 Russian soldiers in Afghanistan.

Local media reports also said that Russia had supplied a large volume of military hardware to the Northern Alliance.

President Vladimir Putin, outlining Moscow's policy last month, had said Russia would increase its arms supplies to the Northern Alliance and Russian troops would take part only in 'search and rescue operation in Afghanistan'.

Other reports, meanwhile, suggested that groups of Russian servicemen along with Northern Alliance forces are some 20 miles (32 km) north of the Afghan capital Kabul.

The Russians reportedly call themselves 'military advisors' and are handling heavy military equipments for the alliance.

Indo-Asian News Service

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