Mr Zadran moved to neighbouring Khost, where he has been challenging its governor, Hakim Taniwal.

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Intriguingly, provinces where tribal structures are strongest, such as Paktia, Paktika and Khost, have proved most resistant to Taliban encroachment.

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The US says it is continuing to bomb a suspected al-Qaeda compound in the Khost region, near the border with Pakistan.

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In some formerly insecure provinces such as Khost, insurgent attacks have diminished.

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In a nationally televised speech, President Karzai referred to two Taliban attacks on Saturday in Khost and Kabul that left 19 people dead.

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Khost is a city in a province of the same name that borders Pakistan and has endured its share of violence during the Afghan War.

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McChrystal said he has already seen counterinsurgency efforts reverse the momentum of the Taliban in such areas as central Helmand and parts of Kunar and Khost provinces.

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Another time a warlord in the eastern Khost Province arrested two Roshan employees and threw them in jail, complaining that villagers were unhappy with the service and found it too expensive.

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As in the film, Maya's CIA colleague in Khost, Afghanistan, did bake a birthday cake for a top al Qaeda informant who was coming into their base, says Mr. Boal.

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White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters Wednesday that he couldn't confirm reports of Rehman's death, but he said the militant was wanted for the Khost incident and mentioned his participation in attacks.

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