NATO failed to stop attack: Karzai

Hours after Afghan forces repulsed major suicide attacks by Taliban on the capital, President Hamid Karzai blamed "intelligence failures" for the assault, particularly on the part of US-led NATO alliance.

"The terrorist infiltration in Kabul and other provinces is an intelligence failure for us and, especially, the NATO and should be seriously investigated," Karzai said in a statement. His remarks came as Afghan forces regained control over parts of the city overrun by the Taliban in a brazen 18-hour attack, which left 51 people dead including 36 insurgents.

The president praised the "bravery" of his security forces, who he said had quickly and timely reacted to contain he terrorists. "Afghan security forces proved to the people that they can defend their country successfully," he said.

Meanwhile, a militant arrested in the attacks confessed that the 18-hour assault was carried out by the Haqqani network, a lethal group of fighters with ties to the Taliban and al-Qaeda. "One terrorist who was arrested in Nangarhar province confessed, saying 'It was the Haqqani network that launched these attacks,''' Interior Minister Besmillah Mohammadi said.

The dramatic assault on multiple targets showed that militants are far from beaten and can still penetrate Afghan security, even in the heart of the capital, after 10 years of war. The attacks in Kabul, Nangarhar, Paktia and Logar provinces also underscored the security challenge ahead as US and NATO troops prepare to leave by the end of 2014.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke to Pakistan's Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar about their shared responsibility to confront militants following Sunday's attacks in Afghanistan, the State Department said in a statement on Monday.

US to provide $110 m to Pak for border security
Islamabad: The US will provide aid worth $110 million to Pakistan for border security, law enforcement, judicial reforms and counter narcotics projects, said a statement from the US Embassy on Monday.

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