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US general accuses Haqqani network of Kabul attack
Pakistan-based Haqqani network accused of orchestrating a 12-hour siege on a lakeside hotel in Kabul.
Pakistan-based Haqqani network accused of orchestrating a 12-hour siege on a lakeside hotel in Kabul. PHOTO: REUTERS
KABUL: The US commander of NATO troops in Afghanistan on Friday accused the Pakistan-based Haqqani network of orchestrating a 12-hour siege on a lakeside hotel in Kabul that killed 18 people.
General John Allen blamed the Al-Qaeda-linked network in a statement just weeks after US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the United States was running out of patience with Pakistan over its refusal to eliminate terror havens.
The Haqqani group, believed to be based in Pakistan’s lawless tribal district of North Waziristan, is blamed for some of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan’s 10-year war.
“Afghan national security forces and coalition military sources acknowledge that this attack bears the signature of the Haqqani network, which continues to target and kill innocent Afghans and blatantly violate Afghan sovereignty from the safety of Pakistan,” Allen said.
NATO’s International Security Assistance Force confirmed that its troops and Afghan security forces had responded to the assault.
But Allen emphasised the role played by Afghan forces, seeking to downplay concerns about the ability of the local police and army to manage after NATO combat troops withdraw in 2014.
Allen said he had been “extremely impressed” with the Afghan response.
“There should be little doubt about their ability and capability to protect the Afghan people in the years ahead,” he said.
He condemned the “unspeakably brutal attack” on civilians and paid tribute to the security guards and law enforcement officers who died in order to protect women and children.
In Afghanistan on June 7, Panetta warned Pakistan that Washington was losing patience over its failure to eliminate safe havens for the Haqqanis and other Islamist militants who attack US troops across the border.
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OK may be they are , but we smell a new excuse to invade Pakistan .you cant secure yourself but you can blame for sure
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O really!!
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lol even if they are (if you want world to blv so)….then ADMIT your Failure: you couldn’t stop them from crossing borders! – Billion dollors of training and weapons worth Junk!Recommend
I hope pak wakes up…
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Blame sun , moon and now haqqani for your failure.
Next would be veena malik name in the list.
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such acts cannot be blamed on Pakistan. Kabul is not in Pakistan nor it is near its borders. It takes local people (afghans) to standup and fight. instead of admitting its own failures, incompetence and corrupt troops within its ranks and the so called afghan troops, should look inwards, rather than point finger on others. How is it that his so called super troops could not stop this band of 6 or 7 coming in travelling to Kabul with weapons, and then carry out such dastardly act. By the way, I am not in favor of such acts, killing unarmed men, women and children. But I am strongly against accusations and shifting own responsibility on others. Recommend
If we keep going along anything and everything “establishment” tells us to believe, we are bound to see ourselves engaged in a long and protracted civil war.
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It used to take a couple of days to blame haqqani network, now it is taking hours, then may be minutes, then …. new era of “Preemptive blaming will dawn…..they will be able to blame before the attack !!!!
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I am appalled by some of the comments above who dont seem to understand the nature of this crime . Civilians were wiped out by these thugs who were celebrating birthday parties in the only spot in Kabul where Kabulis can take sigh of relief and go for picnic. This place has no military installation whatsever !! I wonder how the Taliban-Haqqani and their supporters justify such murder.???
The Taliban are doing no good to their cause by targetting the innocent but on the contrary ordinary Afghans are showing more appreciation for the Afghan security forces for killing these
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“Afghan national security forces and coalition military sources acknowledge that this attack bears the signature of the Haqqani network”….
The matter of fact is, it bears the signature of US failure in Afg…
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Patience is the most essential when it is exhausted.The NATO forces and US are still showing patience.What fun you achieve by killing innocent people and shattering the peace? Instead of condemning such heinous act many comments seem to ridicule the statement issued by US or NATO officials.
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@Abdul: What’s a signature? Provide a solid proof or at least ask Haqqanis to accept the responsibility! LOL
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When you cannot protect your own children with a polio vaccination how can the world expect you to help secure a distant Kabul.
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@Oopsie!: you couldn’t stop them from crossing borders! – Billion dollors of training and weapons worth Junk!
Well, my friend, the joke is on you. You guys have the same types of weapons, only older version :)
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It seems Pakistan does not understand the seriousness of the situation. Talks and persuasions going on over the years seem to have no effect on tough skulls inside Pakistan. I am afraid of ominous clouds since the world cannot be held ransom by a few holed up inside Pakistan. I think what US is clearly saying is that Pakistan has failed to act and now every possible action is open to consideration. The Haqqanis are going to be eliminated so that they do not have a home. Pakistan will have to give an undertaking that they renounce Haqqanis otherwise suo moto (unilateral) actions will begin to follow encroaching on many areas.
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@faraz: @Abdul: What’s a signature? Provide a solid proof or at least ask Haqqanis to accept the responsibility! LOL
Solid proof? Whats the point. It will be termed as insufficient as usual. If a self-confessed killer can be let out by your system, what chance does any other type of solid proof stand?
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We all pray for lasting peace in Afghanistan so innocent people can live without fear.
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I can understand the hatred of the U.S. in some of the comments posted in the above. However, I cannot understand the unconscionable glee some of them are barely able to hide on the loss of innocent Afghani lives perpetuated by the pro-Algaeda terrorists. A true Muslim would never conduct nor condone such heinous crimes against humanity.
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Dear readers,
This is not the first time the Haqqani network is suspected of being involved in terrorist attacks inside Afghanistan. They are actively working against our forces, and continue to plague the region with their acts of terror. We should recall the attacks on the American embassy and on NATO’s headquarters from last year, when the intelligence clearly pointed towards the Haqqani network. It is no secret that they continue to present obstacles, and wish to see our forces fail for the sake of achieving their evil agenda. Gen. John R. Allen, commander, International Security Assistance Force, had this to say in regard to the attack on Spozhmai Hotel west of Kabul City:
“This latest attack comes after insurgents failed to disrupt the recent Heart of Asia conference. Afghan National Security Forces and coalition military sources acknowledge that this attack bears the signature of the Haqqani network, which continues to target and kill innocent Afghans and blatantly violate Afghan sovereignty from the safety of Pakistan. Our condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those defenseless Afghans who were murdered in their sleep during the early morning hours of Jum’ah by the enemies of peace in Afghanistan. There is no doubt that innocent Afghan civilians were the intended targets of this unspeakably brutal attack. Additionally, a number of security guards and law enforcement officers gave their lives protecting women and children. These atrocities should be condemned in the strongest of terms. I am extremely impressed with the Afghan police and special response units who arrived quickly to secure the scene and liberate civilian hostages. While we provided minimal support at the request of the Afghan security forces, there should be little doubt about their ability and capability to protect the Afghan people in the years ahead.”
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@US Centcom:
and this is not the first time the American`s CIA manipulates the situation. In recent history;Panama,Guatemala,Rwanda,Somali,Iraq.Afghanistan has the foot print of CIA.Recommend
Go first listen to your soldiers ,listen what they are saying about your war in Afghanistan Recommend
@faraz:
Then please tell us who carried out this attack! You must have some idea that doesn’t require absolute proof!
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@US Centcom
If you cant control the Taliban in your side of the territory and secure high profile than how do you expect a country like Pakistan with alot its problems to go after the Haqqani network. Recommend
@faraz:
and what proof US has against haqqani network…..just because a US general syas so. Shame on people who treat such utterances as devine
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the attackers had a head each, two hands and two feet…same as Haqqani’s…proof enough for me.
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Pakistan is a nation of rules and laws. Without proper proof that can pass scrutiny by the legal community, no allegation can be entertained.
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This attack was against patronized elite responsible for degeneration of Afghan cultural values and inseparable islamic identity. For those who talk about innocent civilians, they must not ignore the atrocities being perpetrated on the other side of the divide. Its a war without any moral code. Drones are simply one of its several manifestations.
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Well, I don’t know what to believe. The US (World’s best fighting force) along with fighters from two dozen other countries (all rich and well equipped) along with the Afghan soldiers could not stop 8 men! And they expect Pakistan to stop it?
And who are these people fighting? I am not sure if they are humans. Must be demons and jinns. They have shaken a super power and it’s chamcha’s down to the very core. As far as safe havens in Pakistan are considered. Well, Pakistan gets bombed every 3-4 days. So WHAT THE HELL?
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@US Centcom.
Why don’t you launch a large scale operation against teh Haqannis ?
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First accept and confess your own demerits and weaknesses in regard of security options instead of blaming the others without any solid evidences and if you have any solid evidences then show before the world and prove yourself true on your this stance.
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