NATO and Afghan troops capture, kill 200 militants

Associated Press

KABUL, Afghanistan

Tens of thousands of Afghan and NATO troops killed or captured 200 insurgents in eastern Afghanistan during two operations targeting the violent Haqqani network blamed for the majority of attacks in Kabul, the U.S.-led coalition said Monday.

At least 20 of the insurgents had ties to the Haqqani group, which is affiliated with al-Qaida and the Taliban, said German Brig. Gen. Carsten Jacobson, a coalition spokesman in Afghanistan. The roughly 180 others were from the Taliban or other groups, though not all have been identified.

About half of the Haqqani fighters were identified as leaders, and the other half were bomb makers or individuals who help militants in various ways.