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Pak, US forces move against al-Qaeda WASHINGTON: The Pakistani military is moving toward "hammer-and-anvil" operations with US forces across the border in Afghanistan for the first time to crush al-Qaeda fighters hiding in the tribal areas, the top US commander in Afghanistan said on Tuesday. "There’s unfinished business in this part of the world and we’re making every effort here during the coming months to close those efforts out," said Lt-Gen David Barno, commander of the US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan. "And as I tell people for all of the terrorist organisations, it’s very clear in my mind, as I...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 — The commander of American-led forces in Afghanistan said Tuesday that the military had adopted new tactics to combat Taliban and Al Qaeda militants in the country. The officer, Lt. Gen. David W. Barno of the Army, said that in the past three months, American units down to the level of 40-soldier platoons had been dispatched to live in villages where they can forge ties with tribal elders and glean better information about the location and activities of guerrillas. In the past, he said, American forces typically gathered intelligence about hostile forces, carried out focused raids for...

WASHINGTON - The commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan said Tuesday that his troops are stepping up efforts to capture Osama bin Laden and ousted Taliban leader Mullah Omar, maintaining that the "sand in their hour glass is running out." Briefing Pentagon reporters via teleconference from Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan, Army Lt. Gen. David Barno said the United States and Pakistan are improving cooperation in efforts to eradicate al-Qaida elements, using a "hammer and anvil approach" that will drive the terrorists out of Pakistan and across the Afghan border. Barno also confirmed reports that the Pakistani military has entered tribal...