NATO: 200 Militants Killed or Captured in Afghanistan

Posted October 24th, 2011 at 8:30 am (UTC-5)
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NATO says Afghan and coalition forces killed or captured about 200 militants during two operations last week in eastern Afghanistan.

Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Carsten Jacobson told reporters in Kabul Monday that due to the recent Afghan-led military campaigns, insurgent activities have been greatly impacted ahead of the coming winter months.

Jacobson said at least 20 insurgents with the al-Qaida-linked Haqqani network were killed or captured, including militant leaders, facilitators and bomb makers.

The Haqqani network has carried out several high-profile attacks on U.S. and Afghan forces fighting the Taliban insurgency. The militant group is believed to be based in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region, which borders Afghanistan's eastern Khost and Paktika provinces.

The porous border region between the two countries is a known safe haven for al-Qaida and Taliban-linked militants.

During a trip to the region last week, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Pakistan to crack down on militant safe havens on its soil.

Meanwhile in the Afghan capital, hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets Monday to protest against a proposed U.S.-Afghan strategic security agreement.

The agreement will outline American troop presence in Afghanistan once combat forces leave the country in 2014.

Protesters say the the deal will allow the United States to set up permanent bases in Afghanistan. The U.S. has said it is not seeking a permanent military presence in the country. U.S. and Afghan officials are still working out the final details of the plan.

Also Monday, NATO says a bomb attack killed one of its service members in southern Afghanistan. The coalition did not give details.