US CAMPAIGN AGAINST HAQANI NETWORK

US INTENSIFIES CAMPAIGN AGAINST HAQANI NETWORK

The United States has intensified its drive against the Taliban linked Haqani network in an attempt to deal a lasting blow to the militants in Afghanistan before foreign combat forces depart this years.

The effort is taking  on added urgency as the clock ticks down on a NATO combat mission in Afghanistan asset to end in December, whether Pakistan will take action against a group. The Obama administration has created a special u nit based in Kabul to coordinate efforts against the militant group, according to the US officials with the matter.

It was not immediately clear whether the intensified focus on the Haqanis has led to increased strikes on the group by the US military or the CIA which operates drones over Pakistan’s tribal areas. It remains to be seen this late in the NATO combat mission how much damages the United States can inflict on the Haqani Network, which has proven resilient and uses Pakistan’s tribal areas along the Afghan border, including the North Waziristan region, as a sanctuary.

It was announced from the White House  on Tuesday and ordered by the US President to the Pentagon to prepare for possible complete withdrawal of troops following Afghan president’s refusal to sin g a bilateral security pact. The Haqani network, which professes obedience to Taliban leader Mullah Omar is believed to have been  involved in some of the Afghan war.