Nato-led Afghan forces kill 60 militants in assault near Pakistan border
Washington intensifies drive against Taliban-linked Haqqani network to deal a lasting blow to militants in Afghanistan before foreign combat forces depart
Afghan troops backed by Western air power killed at least 60 militants near the Pakistan border, Afghanistan’s intelligence agency said on Wednesday, in one of the biggest single assaults against the Taliban-linked Haqqani network.
US officials say Washington has intensified its drive against the network in an attempt to deal a lasting blow to the militants in Afghanistan before foreign combat forces depart this year.
About 300 Haqqani insurgents and foreign fighters came under intensive fire on Monday when they tried to storm Afghan bases in Ziruk district of Paktika province, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) said in a statement.
The Nato-led international force declined to comment.
The Haqqani network, which professes obedience to Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, is believed to have been involved in some of the most deadly attacks of the Afghan war.
The group has been blamed for attacks on hotels popular with foreigners in Kabul, the bombing of the Indian embassy in the capital, a 2011 attack on the US embassy and several big attempted truck bombings.