Afghanistan War News Updates -- October 20, 2011

The area of fighting, in Kunar Province, has tall mountains and heavily wooded valleys that provide cover for insurgents. The New York Times

U.S. General: New Offensive Hits Haqqanis -- Washington Times/AP

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The U.S.-led coalition has unleashed a new offensive against one of Afghanistan’s most lethal militant networks and plans to ramp up operations next year along the border with Pakistan before the American drawdown gathers steam, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan said Wednesday.

Marine Gen. John R. Allen told the Associated Press that the “high-intensity, sensitive” operation that began in recent days was focused on the Haqqani group, a Pakistan-based militant network with ties to the Taliban and al Qaeda. The U.S. has been urging the Pakistanis to clamp down on Haqqani fighters who are attacking Afghan and coalition forces and have been blamed for most of the high-profile attacks in the heart of Kabul.

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More News On Afghanistan

U.S. steps up assault on Haqqani stronghold in Afghanistan -- McClatchy News
AP Interview: US Gen.: New offensive hits Haqqanis -- CBS/AP
Combined Force Kills, Detains Numerous Insurgents -- US Department of Defense
ISAF Joint Command morning operational update -- Dvids
9 soldiers killed in Afghanistan attacks -- UPI
NATO Kills 115 Militants in East Afghanistan Fight -- ABC News/AP
U.S. and Afghan Troops Battle to Control Key Route -- New York Times
Afghans Allegedly Forced Onto Mined Roads -- NPR
France begins withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan -- BBC
First 200 French soldiers leave Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AFP
Afghans Want Heavy Weapons Despite NATO Objections -- Military.com
Afghan forces may soon guard nearly half of Afghans -- Reuters
Four Marine combat deaths are under investigation -- Stars and Stripes
Bad Guys vs. Worse Guys in Afghanistan -- New York Times

Clinton in Afghanistan for Talks on Ending War -- Voice of America
Clinton lands in Kabul for talks with Karzai, other Afghan leaders -- Washington Post
Clinton gets Afghanistan 'reality check' -- News24
Clinton Calls for Pakistani Crackdown -- Wall Street Journal
Clinton warns Pakistan on insurgent havens -- Washington Post
Clinton warns Taliban of 'continuing assault' -- BBC
Clinton Says Door Still Open For Taliban To Talk Peace, Warns Of 'Continuing Assault' -- Radio Free Europe

Mass grave sparks speculation in north Afghanistan -- Globe and Mail/Reuters
Afghanistan: Ex-Lawmaker Ends Her Hunger Strike -- New York Times/AP
Small Investors Struggle While Afghanistan Hopes for Big Deals -- New York Times/Reuters
Afghanistan: military progress cannot mask an awful truth -- The Guardian
Can Afghanistan's Neighbors Keep It From Falling Apart? -- Eurasianet.org
US military deaths in Afghanistan at 1,692 -- AP