Afghan gov't: Militant blames Haqqanis for attacks
By RAHIM FAIEZ, Associated Press
Apr 16, 2012 12:46 AM CDT
Gunfire and smoke is seen coming out of a building occupied by militants during a battle with Afghan-led forces, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, April 16, 2012. The Afghan capital awoke Monday to a second day of explosions and heavy gunfire as Afghan-led forces worked to defeat insurgents holed up in...   (Associated Press)

A top Afghan official says one of the militants arrested during the latest attacks on Kabul and three other cities has told authorities the al-Qaida-linked Haqqani network was behind the assaults.

Interior Minister Besmillah Mohammadi told reporters on Monday that a total of 36 insurgents were killed during the attacks in Kabul and three other cities in eastern Afghanistan. He says one other insurgent, who was arrested in Nangarhar province, confessed to the police that Haqqani network, based in Pakistan, launched the attacks.

Mohammadi also says that eight members of the Afghan security forces were killed and 40 others were wounded. He says three civilians were killed and 25 others were wounded.

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