| KABUL — In eastern Afghanistan's rugged mountains, US-led coalition forces were tackling their latest anti-terror assignment, aimed at denying al-Qaeda and Taleban fugitives a haven in the Pakistan border regions. Operation Haven Denial, centred in Paktika and Khost, began Wednesday, Lt Douglas Lefforge said in a statement released from Bagram Air Base. He said: 'The purpose of this operation is to prevent the re-emergence of terrorism, deny anti-coalition fighters sanctuary and prevent further attacks against non-government organisations, coalition forces and equipment.' Attacks against foreign aid workers and international soldiers in Afghanistan have increased in recent months. The violence is usually blamed on al-Qaeda members, Taleban remnants and loyalists of renegade rebel leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. |