U.S.: WikiLeaks put Afghan lives at risk

WASHINGTON, July 29 (UPI) -- Information contained in an intelligence leak to U.S. and British newspapers threatens the lives of the Afghan people, U.S. military commanders said.

The Web site WikiLeaks, in documents shared with U.S., British and German newspapers, cites field reports that link Pakistani intelligence officials to the Taliban and reveals the names of several Afghan nationals who were working with U.S. and international forces.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John Campbell, who commands the 101st Airborne Division, told Pentagon reporters from his headquarters in Afghanistan that the leak was irresponsible.

"Anytime there's any sort of leak of classified material, it has the potential to harm the military folks that are working out here every day to preserve that," he said.

A spokesman for the Pentagon, Marine Corps Col. Dave Lapan, complained that anytime a sensitive name is released to the public, there is a "threat to their lives, or to their future conduct."

The Pentagon said it was conducting a thorough investigation into the source of the leak. The Wall Street Journal reports Thursday that investigators said they uncovered clear evidence linking Pfc. Bradley Manning to the case.

The Journal said it was unclear what evidence investigators had, though authorities with the FBI were working the case to probe a possible civilian connection.

Manning was tied to an earlier video released by WikiLeaks showing U.S. military helicopters firing on what turned out to be a journalist working in Iraq.