Afghanistan War News Updates -- October 7, 2010

FIELD OF FIRE - U.S. Army soldiers discuss their sectors of fire during a reconnaissance mission in Zabul province, Afghanistan, Oct. 1, 2010. The soldiers are assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Joshua Grenier

US And Afghan Governments Make Contact With Haqqani Insurgents -- The Guardian

Exclusive: US dealing with Haqqani clan – which has close ties to al-Qaida – through Western intermediary.

Both the Afghan and US governments have recently made contact with the most fearsome insurgent group in Afghanistan, the Haqqani network, the Guardian has learned.

Hamid Karzai's government held direct talks with senior members of the Haqqani clan over the summer, according to well-placed Pakistani and Arab sources. The US contacts have been indirect, through a western intermediary, but have continued for more than a year.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

Afghan officials deny high-level talks with Taliban -- L.A. Times
Taliban in high-level talks with Karzai government, sources say -- Washington Post
Taliban contact with Afghan government 'intensifying' -- BBC
In Afghanistan, dialogue seen as 'new phase' in making peace -- CNN
U.S. Backs Afghan Reconciliation, No Comment on Talks -- New York Times/Reuters

Pakistan Urges On Taliban -- Wall Street Journal
Report: Pakistan Spy Agency Urging Taliban to Fight U.S. -- FOX News
Pakistan spy agency thwarting Taliban talks: report -- Arab Times/AFP

Dozens of Taliban killed as war enters 10th year -- Yahoo News/AP
In Afghanistan, troops kill Taliban militants -- CNN
20 militants including 2 commanders killed in NE. Afghanistan -- Xinhuanet
Taliban Commander, Militants Killed In NATO Strike In Afghanistan -- Radio Free Europe
NATO says Taliban leader killed in air strike -- AFP
Iranian arms seized in Afghanistan -- UPI

NATO eyes Pakistan supply resumption after apology -- Yahoo News/Reuters
U.S. apologizes to Pakistan for troop deaths in airstrike -- McClatchy News
NATO says Pakistan border closure not affecting Afghanistan operations -- Christian Science Monitor
Q+A: NATO's supply network in Pakistan hit by attacks, closure -- Reuters

Karzai inaugurates Afghan peace council -- Yahoo News/AFP
Afghan Peace Council Holds Inaugural Session -- New York Times

Spoils of war for sale in Pakistan border town -- AP
Officer: Army has evidence to try soldier in Afghans' deaths -- McClatchy News
Reserve US marines drill for frontlines of Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AFP
U.S. and Afghans at odds over Kabul Bank reform -- Washington Post
Despite rising doubts at home, troops in one corner of Afghanistan see signs of progress -- Washington Post
Kandahar: Should Canada stick with its 2011 withdrawal plan? -- CBC News
How The War In Afghanistan Depends On The Khyber Pass -- Forbes
9 years in Afghanistan: No end in sight -- CNN
Could a deal with the Taliban end the war in Afghanistan? -- Washington Post editorial