Pakistani Taliban spokesman denies peace talks

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — A Pakistani Taliban spokesman on Sunday denied an earlier announcement by the militant group’s deputy chief that it was holding peace talks with the government. The conflicting claims are a clear sign of splits within the movement, which could make it harder for Islamabad to strike a deal to end the violent insurgency gripping the country — although,...

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Iran says it will not return U.S. drone

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran will not return a U.S. surveillance drone captured by its armed forces, a senior commander of the country’s elite Revolutionary Guard said Sunday. Gen. Hossein Salami, deputy head of the Guard, said in remarks broadcast on state television that the violation of Iran’s airspace by the U.S. drone was a “hostile act” and warned of a “bigger” response....

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NATO troops discover drugs cache in southern Afghanistan

Sunday, December 11, 2011 – NATO-led International Security Assistance Force officials following a press release on Sunday said, a combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered a drug cache while on a patrol yesterday in Panjwa’i district, Kandahar province. The cache consisted of 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms) of marijuana. All of the drugs were secured...

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Afghan withdrawal to step up pace in 2012

The number of Australian troops in Afghanistan will be reduced by the end of 2012 as defence works out how to withdraw forces within two years. Fairfax Media reports the pace of withdrawal from Oruzgan province will be accelerated rapidly as the federal government tries to disentangle Australia from its decade-long commitment to the US-led war. Military sources have...

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Three Afghan Taliban killed, 32 held

Three Taliban insurgents were killed and 32 arrested during a series of joint military operations carried out in various Afghan provinces over the last 24 hours, the Afghanistan interior ministry said Sunday morning. 'Afghan National Police (ANP), Afghan National Army and NATO-led coalition forces launched nine joint operations in areas surrounding Kabul, Farah, Kandahar,...

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Pakistan releases 145 Taliban fighters as negotiations progress

Pakistan appears to be progressing in its efforts to cut yet another peace deal with the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan. Faqir Mohammed, the Movement's commander in Bajaur, who is closely allied with al Qaeda emir Ayman al Zawahiri, told Reuters that the government has already freed 145 Taliban fighters, and said he believes that further deals will be struck in the...

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Dec. 11., 2011. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 11) — In Panwa’i district, Kandahar province, a combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered a drug cache while on a patrol yesterday. The cache consisted of 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms) of marijuana.  All of the drugs were secured by Afghan forces to be destroyed at a later date. In other International Security Assistance...

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