Afghans, NATO launch 'new push against Haqqanis'

KABUL: Afghan security forces and their NATO allies have launched a new push against the Al-Qaeda-linked Haqqani network along the Pakistani border, senior defence officials said Tuesday.

US commanders say the network, a faction of the Afghan Taliban, is their most potent enemy in eastern Afghanistan and increasingly capable of launching high-profile attacks in Kabul.

Afghan Defence minister Abdul Rahim Wardak said operation 'Knife Edge' was launched two days ago, while a senior defence ministry official said it was 'largely against the Haqqani network'.

A NATO spokesman confirmed only that 'enhanced official operations' were ongoing in the eastern region that borders Pakistan, but offered no further details for security reasons.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a weaponry exhibition in Kabul, Wardak said the operation would "deliver a crashing blow to the enemy's capabilities to conduct operations, especially terrorist operations during the winter". (AFP)