Haqqani Network Tied to Suicide Bombing

Preliminary investigations conducted by Afghan officials on the suicide bombing that killed 17 people in Kabul, Afghanistan have tied the attack to the Haqqani network. The Interior Ministry spokesman, Sediq Sediqqi, announced that evidence on the vehicle and people used during the bombing are work of the Haqqani network. The attack claimed the lives of nine Americans, including five U.S. troops, four Afghan civilians, two British civilians, a Kosovo national, and a Canadian soldier. Although Afghan officials have tied the Haqqani network to the bombing, an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) spokesman, Lt. Col. Jimmie Cummings, who lost nine troops in the attack, announced that the only information available is the Taliban claiming responsibility, but intelligence does not indicate the involvement of the Haqqanis. U.S. officials believe the Haqqani network has ties to Pakistani intelligence and therefore the country gives the organization an opportunity to reside in a safe territory. Pakistani officials deny claims and state that they do not support the Haqqani network, but they do have contact with the Haqqanis.

Source: Afghan Official Ties Haqqani Network to Bombing

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-10-31/asia/world_asia_afghanistan-haqqani_1_haqqani-network-veritable-arm-sediq-sediqqi?_s=PM:ASIA

Reliability: 9