Afghans retreat across border

Small groups of Afghan refugees, some of them wounded, are beginning to reach Pakistan through snow-covered mountain passes from Nuristan and Kunar Provinces, after the first big Soviet-led offensive against Afghanistan's guerrillas. Officials said several hundred men, women, and children -- many separated from their families -- crossed into Pakistan's Mohamand and Bajaur tribal districts Tuesday and Wednesday.

The flow of refugees was expected to increase substantially after a Soviet advance up the Kunar Valley that smashed the rebels' grip on the province. Officials said some of the refugees, including women, had bullet wounds and bums.

Afghan rebel spokesmen charged that the Soviet Union used scorched-earth tactics in Kunar, indiscriminately hitting settlements and villages with bombs, artillery, napalm, and incendiary devices.