Washington: Afghanistan remains a very violent place, White House Spokesman Jay Carney said at a press briefing. To a question on the US stance over the killing of five Americans, including a 25-year-old diplomat, he said: “What is absolutely the case is Afghanistan remains a very violent place. It is also true that we have made great strides in our efforts to train up the Afghanistan National Security Forces as they take increasing responsibility for the security in their country, and that process continues.”
Second French hostage freed
KABUL: A second French hostage has been released in Afghanistan, the foreign ministry said in Paris, hours after it was announced that a French photographer had been freed in the war-torn country. The ministry gave no details about the second release. The French embassy in Kabul said earlier Pierre Borghi, who was trying to establish himself as a photographer, was freed in Wardak province on Sunday after four months of captivity.
13 Pakistani soldiers killed
PESHAWAR: Heavy fighting between Pakistani troops and militants killed 13 soldiers and scores of rebels near the Afghan border, officials said yesterday. The clashes signalled a fresh military push in the Tirah valley of Khyber district, where the army has been targeting Taliban and militia Lashkar-e-Islam who threaten the northwestern city of Peshawar. “Ground forces have intensified operations,” a military official said, adding more than 100 militants were also killed and the town of Tut Sar had been “captured” back from militants.
Indus Highway crash claims 10
Islamabad: Ten people were killed and 22 injured in a coach-truck collision on Indus Highway in southern Pakistan. The passengers in the coach were on their way from Karachi to Larkana, when the accident occurred due to allegedly reckless driving near Aliabad, killing eight on the spot. Two of injured died at Taluka Hospital Sehwan. Agencies
