NATO captured a senior leader of the al-Qaeda- and Taliban-allied Haqqani network active inside Afghanistan, the alliance said Saturday, describing it as a “significant milestone” in disrupting the terror group’s operations.
NATO said Haji Mali Khan was seized Tuesday during an operation in eastern Paktia province’s Jani Khel district, which borders Pakistan. It was the most significant capture of a Haqqani leader in Afghanistan, and could dent the group’s ability to operate along the porous border with Pakistan’s lawless tribal areas.
Shortly after NATO’s announcement, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid denied in a message to Afghan media that Khan had been arrested but provided no evidence that he was free.
EDITOR: The Obama approach to Afghanistsan is to stop trying to hold territory, an impossible task given the terrain and the tribal history (both of which are related) , and simply kill or capture the leaders of our enemies. The rest can be done through negotiation and withdrawal. We don’t have to have many troops on the ground to kill off the leadership with our drones. On the other hand, what happens if and when our adversaries are able to send drones or worse to Washington, D. C… God forbid?
