Afghanistan War News Updates -- October 19, 2011

U.S. soldiers patrol to a village in the district of Mizan, Afghanistan, Oct. 17, 2011. The soldiers are assigned to the Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul, Agribusiness Development Team, and 489th Civil Affairs Battalion. The team's mission is to conduct civil-military operations in Zabul province to extend the reach and legitimacy of the Afghan government. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Grovert Fuentes-Contreras

U.S. Steps Up Assault On Haqqani Stronghold In Afghanistan -- McClatchy News

KABUL, Afghanistan — Explosions and gunfire erupted in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan Tuesday as U.S.-led international forces and Afghan soldiers began what seemed likely to become a new, coordinated offensive against insurgents whom American officials blame for a series of recent major terrorist attacks in Kabul.

The joint operation against the Haqqani network follows months of escalating tension between the United States and Pakistan over an increasingly fearsome insurgent group that NATO says has caused the deaths of more than 1,000 Afghan civilians and coalition troops — and whose leadership reportedly enjoys safe haven over the border in Pakistan's tribal areas.

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More News On Afghanistan

US general: New offensive under way in Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AP
US steps up assault on Haqqani stronghold in Afghanistan -- Miami Herald/McClatchy News
U.S. forces amass on Afghan-Pakistan border, ready for attack on feared Taliban faction -- Daily Mail
Afghan, NATO Troops Fight Against Haqqani Network -- Huffington Post
Haqqani network boosts infiltration, says official -- CNN

FACTBOX-Security developments in Afghanistan, Oct 19 -- Alertnet
Combined Operations Target Insurgents, Weapons, Drugs -- US Department of Defense
2 U.S. troops, 7 Afghan soldiers killed in country's east, west -- L.A. Times
Roadside Mine Kills 5 Afghan Troops -- New York Times

Pakistan army chief tells US: focus on Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AP
Focus on Afghanistan, not Pakistan, army chief tells U.S. -- Reuters
Pakistani Army Chief to US: Focus on Afghanistan -- Voice of America

Afghanistan Says Help Needed to Deal With Foreign Threats -- Voice of America
Initial U.S. Drawdown to Pull From Restive Afghan East -- New York Times/Reuters
Training Concerns Hover Over Delivery of Afghan Equipment -- New York Times
Afghan security to cost "$5 billion a year" after pullout -- 7News/Reuters
Hammond briefs MPs for first time on Afghanistan -- BBC

First 200 French soldiers to leave Afghanistan -- AFP
France begins withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan -- BBC
France Begins Troop Pullout From Afghanistan -- FOX News/AP
France Begins Afghan Troop Withdrawal -- Voice of America
France Starts Draw Down In Afghanistan -- Radio Free Europe

Ousted Afghan lawmaker breaks hunger strike after appeal by former president -- Washington Post
Ousted Afghan lawmaker breaks hunger strike -- AP