The Haqqani militant network is a veritable arm of Pakistans ISI intelligence service,which supported the group as it launched a startling attack last week on the US embassy in Kabul,the top US military officer said today. The Haqqani network . acts as a veritable arm of Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence Agency, Admiral Mike Mullen,who steps down this month as chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff,said in prepared remarks to a US Senate panel. The Haqqani network is one of three and perhaps the most feared allied insurgent factions fighting US-led NATO and Afghan troops under the Taliban banner in Afghanistan. With ISI support,Haqqani operatives planned and conducted (a September 11) truck bomb attack,as well as the assault on our embassy, Mullen said. We also have credible intelligence that they were behind the June 28 attack against the Inter-Continental Hotel in Kabul and a host of other smaller but effective operations. Mullen said the embassy attack and Tuesdays bombing that killed a former Afghan president who personified hopes for brokering peace negotiations with the Taliban,were examples of the Talibans shift towards high-profile violence.MISSY RYAN & SUSAN CORNWELL
