Obama authorised assault team to fight its way out

President Barack Obama insisted that the assault force hunting down Osama bin Laden last week be large enough to fight its way out of Pakistan if confronted by hostile local police officers and troops, senior administration and military officials said on Monday.In revealing additional details about planning for the mission, senior officials said two teams of specialists were on standby: One to bury Osama if he was killed, and a second composed of lawyers, interrogators and translators in case he was captured alive. That team was set to meet aboard a Navy ship, mostly likely the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson in the North Arabian Sea.

Taliban announce start of spring military offensive against US led coalition

The Taliban has pledged to launch a spring offensive against the US led coalition and its allies in Afghanistan. The militant group says the operation will begin tomorrow, but did not say how long the surge will last. The Taliban said in a statement today the targets of insurgent attacks will include military bases and convoys, as well as Afghan officials, including members of the peace council. The insurgents urged Afghan citizens to stay away from the centers and activities of the coalition forces. The Taliban said the offensive is being activated to protect Islam and religious values.The announcement of the militant operation comes one day after senior officers with the U.S.-led coalition and Western diplomats in Afghanistan warned they expected a surge in militant attacks. 

Courtesy : The HIndu