Gates in Kabul, cautions against over-optimism
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates cautioned against over-optimism despite "bits and pieces of good news" from Afghanistan, warning of hard days ahead as he arrived on Monday to meet generals and President Hamid Karzai.
Hours after Gates arrived, militants demonstrated their growing ability to strike inside Afghan cities, with gunmen launching a commando-style raid in the town of Khost near the Pakistani border in the southeast. A Reuters reporter heard a blast and gunfire, and saw smoke rising from the centre of town. An Afghan army general said two fighters were surrounded. (Reuters)
