NATO on alert for influx of foreign fighters in southern Afghanistan

CNN ^ | May 24, 2011 3:34 p.m. EDT | Paul Cruickshank and Tim Lister

[Pan_Yan]

(CNN) -- Coalition forces in Afghanistan say that a recent security operation in the southeast part of the country suggests an influx of foreign fighters may be underway, just as the Taliban begins its "fighting season" against NATO troops.

And intelligence analysts say it seems a growing number of Europeans are among them.

On the night of May 8, a joint NATO-Afghan force encountered a group of militants in a place called Qalat, a district in Zabul province in southeastern Afghanistan. Ten militants were killed, according to a statement Tuesday from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

The combined force "found passports and identification cards from France, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia amongst ten insurgents killed during the operation," the statement said.

The NATO-Afghan force also detained an al Qaeda fighter of Moroccan origin who lived in Germany -- and who provided details about other foreign fighters. The detainee said he had "observed foreigners from many countries converging in Pakistan to conduct attacks against coalition forces in Afghanistan," according to ISAF.

[Pan_Yan]

Our Pakistan problem continues to hang like an axe over the necks of our troops.

[therightliveswithus]

Et tu, Pakistan?

[WellyP]

These pigs only understand BRUTE “F”ing FORCE! I say bring in the BUFFs and flatten everything for 10 miles on the Afghan side of the border, both the Paki border and Iranian border! Anything found moving after the bombing DIES. Anything crossing that line without permission DIES!

[cranked]

We are still in Afghanistan nation building? /s =.=

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Pan_Yan.

On the night of May 8, a joint NATO-Afghan force encountered a group of militants in a place called Qalat, a district in Zabul province in southeastern Afghanistan. Ten militants were killed... The combined force "found passports and identification cards from France, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia amongst ten insurgents killed during the operation," the statement said... also detained an al Qaeda fighter of Moroccan origin who lived in Germany... detainee said he had "observed foreigners from many countries converging in Pakistan to conduct attacks against coalition forces in Afghanistan,"

[353FMG]

Perhaps if we invite more of them into our country and give them green cards they will take a liking to us.