Coalition Targets Haqqani Network in Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service

Dec. 30, 2008 - Coalition forces detained eight suspected militants yesterday, including two members of the Haqqani terrorist group who were the operation's targets, in the Shamul district of Afghanistan's Paktiya province, military officials reported. The two wanted Haqqani militants are believed to be responsible for helping foreign fighters travel into Paktiya to conduct terrorist activities, officials said. They also are suspected of providing financial and logistical support to the Haqqani organization and facilitating attacks against innocent civilians, such as a Dec. 27 attack in Khowst that killed 14 Afghan children as they were leaving school.

Coalition forces found spools of wire, blasting caps and other bomb-making materials in the targeted building.

(From a U.S. Forces Afghanistan news release.)