Insurgents increasing in east Afghanistan, but army sees gains

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LIGHTNING, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Insurgents have stepped up operations in Afghan border provinces close to Pakistan, one of Afghanistan's top generals said, with militant numbers up on last summer as government forces work to improve security in the volatile east.

Major-General Mohammad Sharif Yaftali, who commands Afghan forces in seven crucial southeast provinces, said insurgent numbers were up around 15 percent on last year's summer fighting months, with an estimated 5,000 insurgents now in his area.