File photo of Afghan soldiers. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
Afghanistan's intelligence agency said on Wednesday that Afghan troops backed by Western air power killed at least 60 militants near the Pakistan border in one of the biggest single assaults against the Taliban-linked Haqqani network.
US officials say Washington has intensified its drive against the network in an attempt to deal a lasting blow to the militants in Afghanistan before foreign combat forces depart this year.
The Haqqani network, which professes obedience to Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, is believed to have been involved in some of the most deadly attacks of the Afghan war.
The group has been blamed for attacks on hotels popular with foreigners in Kabul, the bombing of the Indian embassy in the capital, a 2011 attack on the US embassy and several big attempted truck bombings.
The United States blacklisted the group as a terrorist organization in 2012.
Monday's battle occurred in the southeast province of Paktika which shares a long and porous border with lawless areas in Pakistan.
Insurgents pledged to disrupt this month's presidential election with a campaign of violence, but the vote passed off relatively peacefully. As the country readies for an expected second round run-off in June, there is concern the conditions will be more favourable for militant attacks.
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@Indian Muslim: Ameen
AoA, Great Job Afghan Defense forces, should have followed these fighters to Pakistani hideout wiped them out. Inshallah, day is not far when pashtun brothers in Afghan and Pakistan will be free from Pakistani/Punjabi atrocities