Afghan attacks up despite truce

by BBC (reposted)

Thu, Sep 28, 2006 7:25AM

Militant attacks in Afghanistan, near the Pakistan border, have tripled in some areas, the US military has said.

There were "in some cases two-fold, in some cases three-fold increases in the number of attacks," coalition spokesman Lieutenant Colonel John Paradis said.

The rise in activity comes despite a peace agreement meant to end violence by pro-Taleban militants in Pakistan's North Waziristan border area.

But correspondents say the deal has increased friction with Afghanistan.

The US military announcement came after US President George W Bush hosted talks between the presidents of Pakistan and Afghanistan in Washington.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Afghan President Hamid Karzai are at odds on how to fight the Taleban in their border region, and failed to shake hands or speak to each other at the talks.

More
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5389094.stm

Add Your Comments

§Who are the militants in Afghanistan?

by BBC (reposted)

Thu, Sep 28, 2006 7:26AM

There has been a huge increase in violent attacks in Afghanistan in recent months, particularly in the south where Nato forces are helping the Afghan government to extend its authority.

The government blames most of the violence on what it calls "enemies of Afghanistan" - shorthand for the Taleban and their al-Qaeda allies.

Both groups appear to be stronger than they have been since before the fall of the Taleban administration in 2001.

Pakistan continues to deny Afghan allegations that it is sheltering and aiding the Taleban.

But it is becoming increasingly difficult to establish with any certainty who is behind some of the violence and exactly who supports the insurgency.

More
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4801303.stm

Add a Comment

Support Independent Media

We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!