U.S. steps up assault on Haqqani stronghold in Afghanistan

By Shashank Bengali and Habib Zohori | McClatchy Newspapers

KABUL, Afghanistan — Explosions and gunfire erupted in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan Tuesday as U.S.-led international forces and Afghan soldiers began what seemed likely to become a new, coordinated offensive against insurgents whom American officials blame for a series of recent major terrorist attacks in Kabul. www.mcclatchydc.com/2011/10/18/127608/us-steps-up-assault-on-haqqani.html