Haqqani group behind "insider" attacks on US soldiers

KABUL (AP) - The Haqqani insurgent network, based in Pakistan and with ties to Al Qaeda, is suspected of being a driving force behind a significant number of the "insider" attacks by Afghan forces that have killed or wounded more than 130 United States and allied troops this year, American officials say.

The U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Friday that although there is no hard evidence tying the Haqqanis to specific attacks, the pattern of shootings and the movements and backgrounds of some of the shooters - including travel into Pakistan shortly before the shootings - point to a likely connection to the group Washington last month officially labeled a terrorist organisation.

Thus far in 2012, 53 have been killed and at least 80 wounded, the figures showed.

Until now, officials had said the attacks seemed to stem either from personal grievances against the allies or from Taleban infiltration. The Taleban has publicly claimed to be orchestrating the campaign to subvert the U.S.-Afghan alliance.