admit some parts of the city have been taken. in response, the afghan defence ministry says it has called in american b52 long—range bombers to try to halt the taliban offensive. air strikes, it claims, have already hit the insurgents, killing of them. there is a risk, though, of civilian casualties. already many civilians have been killed or injured including children. the hospitals filling up. the taliban have been specifically targeting government officials such as the head of the government's information centre. he was shot dead on friday. his funeral has now taken place in the capital. a killing designed to intimidate those working for the government in kabul. as the situation deteriorates,