Afghan kidnappers demand convert swap, fighting rages

KABUL, Oct 18 (Reuters) The kidnappers of an Italian photojournalist have demanded Italy hand over an Afghan who converted to Christianity from Islam by midnight Sunday in return for the hostage's release, a Web site said.

Gabriele Torsello was taken by five gunmen last Thursday in the violence-plagued south of the country. Afghan police say he is being held by the Taliban, but the group has denied any involvement, blaming criminals.

The kidnappers did not say what they would do if their demand was refused, said PeaceReporter which specialises in conflict cover.

They demanded Abdul Rahman, 41, who converted 16 years ago while working with a Christian aid group as a refugee in Pakistan, be returned to Afghanistan.

After an international uproar, Rahman was spirited away to Italy in March and granted asylum after being charged with leaving Islam, which carries the death penalty.

The demand came as dozens of people were killed in fighting around the country, the latest violence in the bloodiest year since the Taliban's hardline government was ousted in 2001.

More than 3,000 people, including about 150 soldiers, have died this year, mostly in the south where the Taliban and drug lords are strongest.

NATO and Afghan troops killed up to 20 insurgents yesterday in a counter-attack backed by helicopters and artillery following a raid on an alliance checkpoint in Paktika province, bordering Pakistan, the alliance said in a statement.

Police say 12 civilians died in Helmand in clashes between the Taliban and NATO when a rocket hit their home yesterday.

And Kandahar governor Assadullah Kalie said today NATO bombing killed eight civilians southwest of the provincial capital overnight, but the alliance denied that, saying it had hit Taliban hideouts.

KIDNAPPED ON BUS Torsello's kidnapping came about a week after two German journalists were shot dead while camping in the safer north.

The kidnappers of Torsello made their demand through a hospital run by Italian aid agency Emergency in Helmand province, a Taliban stronghold and major opium centre, said PeaceReporter.

Torsello had been in contact with the hospital while working in the south until he was kidnapped on a bus headed for the neighbouring province of Kandahar, the Taliban's birthplace.

He has also been allowed to call the hospital since his abduction.

In Rome, the Foreign Ministry said it ''took note'' of the demands, but would make no further comment.

NATO took over the south from U S forces in July and last month launched a two-week offensive against the resurgent Taliban called Operation Medusa in which it said it killed hundreds of insurgents.

In the biggest operation in its history, the alliance took complete command of the country from U S troops when it assumed control of the east this month.

REUTERS AB BS1934