Parts of Kabul sealed off and mass arrests made

Afghan authorities have sealed off sections of Kabul and begun mass arrests in an apparent effort to bolster President Babrak Karmal's regime, which has been shaken by violent riots and strikes, reports from the Afghanistan capital said Tuesday.

The Kabul officials, backed by thousands of Soviet and Afghan troops, are blocking access to at least two sections of Kabul, residential areas where many Shiite Muslims live. The Shiites are considered to be "very active" in opposing the Soviet-backed regime in Kabul. Reports reaching New Delhi said that large numbers had been arrested.