Afghan Troops Capture 15 Rebel Positions

Afghan government troops captured 15 rebel positions in a predawn assault Saturday, including a strategic mountain post southwest of the capital.

The captures put government troops within artillery range of the Taliban rebel stronghold of Maidan Shahr, 25 miles southwest of Kabul, and left the Taliban vulnerable to a ground assault.

Fighting between the two sides has closed the road between Kabul and Maidan Shahr and distracted Taliban rebels from their assault in eastern Afghanistan.