Pakistan 'to eliminate militants'

[Netto Azure]

Pakistan 'to eliminate militants'

Pakistan's PM says he has ordered the army to "eliminate militants and terrorists", apparently referring to operations against the Taleban.
Yusuf Raza Gilani made the announcement in an evening TV address to the nation.
Fighting has intensified in recent days in the Swat Valley and other parts of the north-west, and thousands of civilians are leaving the area.
US defence secretary Robert Gates earlier said he was satisfied with Pakistan's anti-Taleban moves.
He said there was "very little chance" of the Taleban achieving the kind of success in Pakistan that they would need to get access to the country's nuclear weapons.
At least 10 soldiers have been killed and nine wounded in the fighting in the past 24 hours, the Pakistani military says.

At least seven of them were reported to have died when a troop carrier was ambushed near Mingora.

Well, well seems like the Pakistani Military has finally realized that the Terrorists in their border is a bigger threat than their imaginary war with India. >.>
​

 

[JB88]

We'll see how long this lasts. That meeting with Obama didn't satisfy me, obviously.

Personally I don't think they find it a bigger threat, but more of a "nuisance".

 

[GrnMarvl14]

Well, well seems like the Pakistani Military has finally realized that the Terrorists in their border is a bigger threat than their imaginary war with India. >.>

What imaginary war? It's a cold war. Big difference.

It IS nice to see them getting their act together. Now if we could only get China to put some forces in their nearby borders, we might actually be able to do something.

 

[The Big Al]

China's probably hoping Obama can solve this without them having to lift a finger.

 

[Netto Azure]

What imaginary war? It's a cold war. Big difference.

It IS nice to see them getting their act together. Now if we could only get China to put some forces in their nearby borders, we might actually be able to do something.

Hmm. I guess I should have been more definite then. But yes you could say that it is a Cold War since they already did go into an actual war before...
The British should have settled the Kashmir Issue when they had the power to do so...but noooooo.... >.>

Yeah. JB88 I've heard how that thing was just for show. Most of the government officials on the ground are saying that it is more of a "nuisance" to them...

But in reality though... D:

Hmm...The Chinese should use their newfound influence to help settle international issues. But eh that's life...

 

[JB88]

The British should have settled the Kashmir Issue when they had the power to do so...but noooooo....

Eh, I don't think that would've solved problems, but make them a lot worse.

 

[Nicoleta01]

As for China helping, they have a stake in the Kashmir region too (They own territory), so I don't think they'll help the Pakistanis anytime soon (Military-wise).

I think the Pakistani government is mainly doing this to show they Can be tough. Once they rid the place of the Taliban, they'll probably leave the area.

 

[GrnMarvl14]

As for China helping, they have a stake in the Kashmir region too (They own territory), so I don't think they'll help the Pakistanis anytime soon (Military-wise).

I'm talking about inside China's own border, where the Taliban have several bases (and, at one point, where bin Laden was rumored to be).

I think the Pakistani government is mainly doing this to show they Can be tough. Once they rid the place of the Taliban, they'll probably leave the area.

They're doing this because the Taliban are finally posing an actual threat to them instead of just being a vocal threat in some borderlands that are hell to get to and are surrounded by supporters.

 

[C7CACorncas12]

They're doing this because the Taliban are finally posing an actual threat to them instead of just being a vocal threat in some borderlands that are hell to get to and are surrounded by supporters.

Indeed, and whatever plan Asif Ali Zardari and his (non-Taliban-sympathetic) advisors are developing, they might want to activate it this week, given both the timeframe behind General David Petraeus' prediction... and the possibility of a coup against Zardari from the military. (Note: The emphasis is mine.):

ISLAMABAD: Angered by Pakistan government's decision to launch an all out war against them, the Taliban has vowed to "eliminate" country's top leadership including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and their close family members.

"We thought that being a member of a religious family, Gilani will support our demand of implementing Sharia in the Malakand division but instead he has announced an all-out war against us, which has angered our commanders as well as fighters," an unnamed Taliban commander told The News daily.

The militant commander, who spoke to the newspaper by phone, said after Gilani declared during an address to the nation on Thursday that the Taliban would be wiped out from the Swat Valley and adjoining areas, the militants had started planning to "eliminate the top leaders of the ruling alliance, including President, Prime Minister and their close family members and aides".

The commander said Gilani's hometown of Multan and tomb of former premier Benazir Bhutto might also be targeted by the militants.

"Besides, the personnel and installations of security forces, we have now also included civilian rulers in our hit list. We will definitely need some time to plan our actions but it is not impossible for us and we have all the means to implement our plan of attack anywhere in Pakistan," he claimed.

Taliban vow to 'eliminate' Pakistan's top leadership

WASHINGTON: A top private risk analysis firm gave embattled Pakistan a three-in-ten chance of a military coup even before the latest offensive by Taliban rebels, according to a noted US analyst.

New York-based Eurasiagroup, whose head of research is top former State Department, White House National Security Council and CIA official David F Gordon, said in a little noticed, late April report that it was more than possible the Pakistani Army would step in to stabilise the rebel-threatened country.

The premise of Eurasiagroup's "scenario" is that "the global economic crisis proves too much to handle for the political leadership in Pakistan", writes Jeff Stein, National Security Editor of Congressional Quarterly in his "SpyTalk" column.

The report was evidently written before Islamic Taliban rebels overran the Swat Valley this month, forcing the army into barricaded camps and threatening the viability of the government of President Asif Ali Zardari, he noted adding, "Presumably, the risk of a military coup is far greater now."

Before that, the Eurasia report gave the nation a "30 percent" chance of losing its elected government to an army general like Pervez Musharaf, who seized power in 1999, and his predecessor, Gen. Zia Ul-Haq, who led the country from 1977 until his fatal plane crash in 1988.

"As in the 1990s, the military concludes that it must intervene in politics for the sake of the nation-to stop the spread of militancy, revitalize the economy, and clean up civilian politics," the report envisioned.

"New Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kiyani had sought to distance the military from politics, but the political crisis between the PPP (Pakistan People's Party) and the PML-N (Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz) boosts the military's political clout and its willingness to intervene."

"Kiyani does not pursue a full-fledged military coup, but rather the 'Bangladesh model.' The military removes President Asif Ali Zardari and his administration and establishes a caretaker government, which it tasks with the job of stabilizing the political and economic situation," the report suggested.

"The military appoints Western-educated technocrats with no independent power base or political connections to serve in the new government. These officials maintain close contacts with Kiyani, who makes all strategic decisions," it said painting the coup scenario.

30% chance of coup in Pakistan, according to analysts

Kashmir won't be the only spot from which those Islamists launch their (intended) final attack against Zardari, and this upcoming week will be the last week on General Petraeus' timetable. We should have a very interesting -- and perilous -- few days ahead of us, and I can only wonder what India's military is thinking at this moment.

 

[GrnMarvl14]

India's probably hoping the militants seize the region, so they can reseize it while looking like heroes. Then maintain control of it "to protect the citizens and combat terrorism."

 

[JB88]

Like I said before, I don't want India turning out like Israel.

India's probably hoping the militants seize the region, so they can reseize it while looking like heroes. Then maintain control of it "to protect the citizens and combat terrorism."

I don't think for a second would India want militants to take over Pakistan. The situation would go for the worst scenario possible, and India cannot tolerate that. They will do everything to not let this happen--involuntarily. There are some that want Pakistan, when it is dismantled, to split up into separate states. But I don't think they would "reseize" Pakistan for their own benefits.

 

[Martonimos]

It'd be nice if these attacks weren't driving out civilians. But I'm glad they're finally dealing with this problem.

 

[C7CACorncas12]

Add Al-Qaeda to the list of jihadists operating closer to Pakistan than Afghanistan: General Petraeus said this morning on Fox News Sunday that Al-Qaeda's "senior leadership" -- presumably referring to Osama bin Laden and Ayman Al-Zawahiri -- has moved to those Federally Administered Tribal Areas, right around those mountains to Pakistan's northwest. (Note: The emphasis is mine.):

The head of U.S. Central Command said Sunday that Al Qaeda is no longer operating in Afghanistan, with its senior leadership having moved to the western region of Pakistan.

Gen. David Petraeus said affiliated groups have "enclaves and sanctuaries" in Afghanistan and that "tentacles of Al Qaeda" have touched countries throughout the Middle East and northern Africa. But he said the terrorist group has suffered" very significant losses" in recent months.

Still, he said he believes Usama bin Laden and his No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahiri remain in charge of the terrorist network.

"They surface periodically. We see communications that they send out," Petraeus said.

Though Petraeus said nobody can provide an accurate location for either terrorist, he said Al Qaeda senior leadership clearly is rooted in the border region of western Pakistan.

"There's no question that Al Qaeda's senior leadership has been there and has been in operation for years," Petraeus said.

The head of U.S. Central Command, speaking on "FOX News Sunday," warned of the severe threat extremist groups now pose to Pakistan but praised the U.S. ally for what he described as a coordinated campaign to beat back an uprising of Taliban forces.

He said that the Taliban's effort to extend its territory beyond the northern Swat valley seems to have "galvanized all of Pakistan" against the group.

"There is a degree of unanimity that there must be swift and effective action taken against the Taliban in Pakistan," Petraeus said, warning of the dire consequences of a Pakistan defeat.

"This is not a U.S. fight that Pakistan is carrying out at this point ... This is a Pakistani fight, a Pakistani battle, with elements that as we've mentioned threaten the very existence of the Pakistani state."

Petraeus spoke Sunday on "FOX News Sunday" and CNN's "State of the Union."

Petraeus: Al Qaeda No Longer Operating in Afghanistan

International jihadism's tentacles may have extended into Yemen and Somalia, but it intends to transform Pakistan into its new headquarters. The Taliban and Lashkar-e-Taiba may very well get some serious help from the likes of Jamaat-e Islami, giving both groups -- and the Inter-Services Intelligence -- even more momentum to achieve their dark agenda, a sort of "galloping Talibanization", if you will.:

Ahmed Rashid explains the Taliban's expansionism

I certainly don't want the Taliban taking over Islamabad, but with its undercurrents flowing as they have, we may not have many options left there at all. Strategizing alongside India's military might open up a few more options for containing the ensuing damage.

 

[JB88]

It'd be nice if these attacks weren't driving out civilians.

What else can they do? Stay put and see the bombs crash through their roof? They should stay in a violent area?

Al Qaeda operating in Pakistan was already known, to me at least, ever since the Taliban were routed in November 2001 from Afghanistan. For seven years it was an obvious fact. Can't believe it took them so long to figure out that they're not in Afghanistan anymore.

 

[GrnMarvl14]

What else can they do? Stay put and see the bombs crash through their roof? They should stay in a violent area?

Al Qaeda operating in Pakistan was already known, to me at least, ever since the Taliban were routed in November 2001 from Afghanistan. For seven years it was an obvious fact. Can't believe it took them so long to figure out that they're not in Afghanistan anymore.

They've known. It's just that they were holed up in caves along the Afghan/Pakistan border with tribes friendly to them. The US couldn't do anything without entering Pakistan (which Pakistan wouldn't allow) and Pakistan refused to do anything (because it was just in the border regions, and not doing anything at least kept those tribes from doing anything in retaliation. It was basically a big standoff).

 

[C7CACorncas12]

Simple operations, or forming alliances with other jihadists? Now that Al-Qaeda is reaching out to both Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, Osama bin Laden may very well have an easier time advancing the jihad agenda against Asif Ali Zardari.:

Jason Burke: Al-Qaida's push into Pakistan
Times of India: US supports India, says Pak needs to do more on 26/11
Fox News Channel: Pakistani Troops Find Headless Corpses Left By Taliban Attackers

As for Lashkar-e-Taiba, it looks like that gruesome Mumbai Massacre of theirs disrupted peace talks between Pakistan and India, so that America and India may see their interests converge more and more over time. With those Af-Pak mountain tribes as... intransigent about Al-Qaeda and the Taliban's presence -- and the Taliban's barbarism -- as they are, I doubt that this standoff will stay one for long. Speaking of which, I believe that those two weeks that General David Petraeus grimly predicted have passed, which would mean that we can now wait and see what has become of Pakistan.

 

[TheM_2009]

about time, those wahabi islamic terrorists need someone butt-kicked back to the depth of hell.

 

[C7CACorncas12]

about time, those wahabi islamic terrorists need someone butt-kicked back to the depth of hell.

Anyone up for a pounding in the mountains for the Taliban and Osama bin Laden (no rhyme intended)?:

Pakistan is to extend its war on the Taliban beyond Swat into the fiercely independent tribal areas bordering Afghanistan where Osama Bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda leadership are believed to be hiding.

“We’re going to go into Waziristan, all these regions, with army operations,” President Asif Ali Zardari told The Sunday Times in an interview. “Swat is just the start. It’s a larger war to fight.”

He said Pakistan would need billions of pounds in military assistance and aid for up to 1.7m refugees, the biggest movement of people since the country’s split from India in 1947.

To help take on the militants, the Pakistan army is for the first time to accept counterinsurgency training from British and American troops on its own soil.

“We need to develop our capability and we need much more support,” said Zardari. “We need much, much more than the $1 billion [military aid] we’ve been getting, which is nothing. We’ve got 150,000 troops in [the tribal areas] - just the movement of that number would cost $1 billion.”

Pakistan’s army is geared towards conventional warfare against its old enemy India. There have long been concerns in Whitehall and Washington at its ineffectiveness and lack of commitment against militants.

A British project proposed two years ago to train the Frontier Corps, the paramilitary force in the tribal areas, met with resistance. Pakistan has now agreed to back this initiative and also begin training by US special forces.

Senior US officials told The Wall Street Journal that 25 to 50 special forces personnel are to be based at two new training camps in Baluchistan.

The army is planning to open new fronts in Waziristan and Darra Adam Khel. Waziristan is the headquarters of the militant Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, led by Baitullah Mehsud, who has been named as the mastermind behind the assassination of Zardari’s wife, the former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto.

Aid agencies have warned that more violence could add to a spiralling refugee problem. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 987,000 displaced people registered in the last two weeks, on top of 500,000 who fled fighting last summer. The commissioner, Antonio Guterres, visited the area on Friday and called for massive international support, warning the crisis could have “enormous destabilising impact”.

Zardari appealed for $1 billion in aid for refugees. “If we are to win the hearts and minds of these people we need to be able to relocate them back into civil society, rebuild their houses and give them interest-free loans to restart their businesses,” he said.

“If we don’t they will turn against the government and we will lose the impetus we’ve managed to create in the country against the Taliban.”

The exodus continued yesterday, despite claims by the army that it had cleared large parts of Buner, the district 60 miles north of Islamabad whose fall to the Taliban last month provoked American misgivings about the future of Pakistan.

Much of the region remains under curfew with the media banned from entering the conflict zones. The Sunday Times yesterday managed to reach the village of Goga and found it deserted with only 15 people remaining from a population of 4,000.

Villagers were angry at what they said was excessive use of force by the army, pointing to burnt-out lorries and cars. Carcasses of dead cattle lay on the ground and most homes had been looted.

Ziaul Abrar, a teacher who had stayed behind to guard his house, complained: “There were only 10-15 Taliban in the village but the whole place has been bombed. We were displaced, our houses destroyed, our crops destroyed and our cattle killed to target just a few militants. We want the elimination of the Taliban but this is no way to do it.”

His views were echoed by Zafar Ali from the village of Takhta Band, one of several farmers who stayed to harvest their wheat crop. He claimed that several children had been killed when Pakistani bombers strafed the area.

Artillery fire could be heard in the mountains yesterday despite assurances from Brigadier Fiaz Mehmood Qamer, who led the Frontier Corps assault on Buner two weeks ago, who urged residents to return home. “Things have gone very well,” he said. “We have secured about 80% of the area.”

The Taliban were said to be holding out in Sultan Was, a mountainous valley in Buner. All access to Swat, where the army said a house-to-house search was underway for Taliban leaders in Mingora, was banned.

A report from Amnesty International claimed that 700,000 people remain trapped in Swat. Electricity and phone lines have been cut for more than a week. Those who have managed to flee say that there is no power, even for the hospitals, because diesel fuel has run out for generators.

The Pakistani army claims to have killed more than 750 militants over the past two weeks, although there is no way of confirming this. There is no news on the fate of Maulana Fazlullah, the Taliban leader in Swat known as Radio Mullah for his fiery broadcasts on his FM radio station.

Last week commandos were dropped into the densely forested mountains of Peochar, where Fazlullah’s headquarters are located. Sources said the troops were searching caves and tunnels to track him down.

Zardari insisted that the army was committed to defeating the Taliban. “I think the casualties speak for that, the displacement speaks for that,” he said.

He claimed that officers sympathetic to the militants had been purged. “I’m confident the army perceives the Taliban as much of a national threat as we do.” He added: “You cannot fight this war only on the battle[field]. You also have to fight it on the economic front - you have to offer something to the youth.”

Although most refugees say they had no sympathy for the Taliban, poor conditions in the camps are fuelling bitterness. One refugee, Amjad Khan, retired to Daggar in Buner after 27 years working as a civil servant, only to find himself fleeing a war.

“The operation robbed me of my newly built house, my fields, crops, cattle - everything,” he said.

“Alas, we are here in this desert and my wife, sons and daughters have become gypsies instead of doctors and engineers.” At least 11 people were killed when a car bomb destroyed a bus carrying handicapped children and an internet cafe in Peshawar yesterday.

Times of London: Pakistan to attack Taliban in bin Laden's lair

Perhaps this will be the big test of Pakistan's military after General Petraeus' prediction. With both the Times of London and the Times of India continually set to track these events, we should have plenty of information to ponder as the war for control of Pakistan heats up even further.