FATA Situation

[fatman17]

America's best hope in Pakistan: Petraeus

By Trudy Rubin

08/22/2008


Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf, the longtime military dictator who resigned Monday, was an ambivalent ally in the fight against radical Islamists.

Although the Pakistani leader did arrest some key Al-Qaida operatives, he let militants take over whole areas of his country along the Afghan border - where Al-Qaida's leadership is believed to be hiding. Little of the billions in U.S. aid since 2001 has gone to countering the terrorist threat.

So the biggest question for Americans, now that Musharraf is toast, is whether an elected Pakistani government will be able to confront the jihadis. So far the signs are doubtful.

An equally big question is whether Pakistan's army, historically more eager to confront India than to fight Islamists, will recognize that jihadis have become an existential threat to their nuclear-armed state.

For years, Pakistani democrats claimed that only an elected leadership could rally popular support for a fight against terrorists. Pakistan's people regard the terrorist threat as a problem foisted on them by the United States, which failed to stabilize Afghanistan. In a 2007 poll, 89 percent of Pakistanis rejected any cooperation with the United States in the "war on terrorism."

Bhutto assassination

The late Benazir Bhutto was the only politician to argue publicly that this war was Pakistan's, too. She said Pakistani intelligence should stop training jihadis to fight India in Kashmir. No wonder she was assassinated by militants late last year.

The leaders of Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party echo her strong stand against extremists in private, but not in public. They are hamstrung by a coalition government in which the other party's leader, Nawaz Sharif, opposes fighting the extremists.

Since the new government took office, the terrorists have expanded their reach. Deals with extremist groups haven't helped. There is enormous mistrust between the army and the government. Nor do civilian leaders control the main Pakistani intelligence agency, which the CIA believes is helping the militants.

So where does hope lie? How can the next U.S. president help Pakistan confront its growing terrorist threat?

One glimmer may rest with Pakistan's army, according to Shuja Nawaz, an expert on the Pakistani military and author of "Pakistan, Its Army, and the Wars Within," who just returned from Pakistan. According to Nawaz, Pakistan's army now recognizes that the internal insurgency that threatens the state "is Pakistan's war" - not just America's fight.

Nawaz also says the army is finally training units formerly geared to fight a conventional war against India for action against insurgents. Some units are being moved from the Indian border to areas that insurgents have mauled.

But the army knows it is unpopular in these areas. It desperately wants to avoid civilian casualties, while protecting tribal leaders who oppose the militants. The army commander, Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, recognizes the need to funnel economic aid to troubled areas, creating jobs and bolstering the hand of tribal elders.

If this sounds like what Gen. David Petraeus did in Iraq's Anbar province, that's no coincidence. "Some of the thinking in the army . . . is in accordance with what Petraeus has done (in Iraq)," says Nawaz. "They see the need for quick impact projects (such as those funded by U.S. army commanders in troubled Iraqi districts)."

Petraeus taking over

Petraeus soon will take over as head of U.S. Central Command, the army command that includes Pakistan (as well as the Middle East). Can he pull off another miracle, helping Kayani to train Pakistani units to fight jihadis? Can he help convince the Pakistani army to shift gears and use American economic and military aid for the purposes intended?

And can he convince the army that the internal war against jihadis can't be delinked from fighting the Taliban's war against Afghanistan?

Finally, can an American general convince Pakistani counterparts they need to coordinate with civilian leaders? There is intense public resistance in Pakistan to overt U.S. military intervention. It will be hard to rally public support for a Pakistani war on jihadis unless the civilian government backs it.

Pakistan's jihadi challenge is even tougher than Iraq's, but Petraeus may be critical to the solution. He may be the best hope in a picture that is otherwise bleak.

Home - San Jose Mercury News

 

[Neo]

‘6,000 Afghan troops in Kurram’​

KOHAT, Aug 22: Two Afghan soldiers have admitted that their government has sent 6,000 troops for fighting against one of the warring groups in Kurram Agency.

Musa Khan, of Tanai in the Khost province, and Ikramuddin, of Gurbaz in the same province, were produced by local tribesmen at a press conference held at an unspecified place. A video of the press conference obtained by this correspondent shows the soldiers in Afghan army uniforms.

They told journalists that some elders of the Toori tribe in Kurram Agency had met the Afghan president a few months ago and requested him to help them with manpower and arms and ammunition in their fight against Bangash tribesmen.The Afghan president, who had been accusing Pakistani intelligence agencies of being involved in suicide attacks in his country, promised to support them.

Security officials here said the statement of the two detained soldiers had proved that the Afghan government was actively involved in terrorist activities in the tribal areas.— Correspondent

 

[batmannow]

‘6,000 Afghan troops in Kurram’​

KOHAT, Aug 22: Two Afghan soldiers have admitted that their government has sent 6,000 troops for fighting against one of the warring groups in Kurram Agency.

Musa Khan, of Tanai in the Khost province, and Ikramuddin, of Gurbaz in the same province, were produced by local tribesmen at a press conference held at an unspecified place. A video of the press conference obtained by this correspondent shows the soldiers in Afghan army uniforms.

They told journalists that some elders of the Toori tribe in Kurram Agency had met the Afghan president a few months ago and requested him to help them with manpower and arms and ammunition in their fight against Bangash tribesmen.The Afghan president, who had been accusing Pakistani intelligence agencies of being involved in suicide attacks in his country, promised to support them.

Security officials here said the statement of the two detained soldiers had proved that the Afghan government was actively involved in terrorist activities in the tribal areas.— Correspondent

Let, them appear in the interational media, its perfect case for pakistan , to act same as RUSSIA vs GOERGIA. go inside AFGHANISTAN , blow up some camps of talibans, target mistankenly some of AFGHAN ARMY camps and secure key locations inside afghanistan and appoint some peace keeping force... belive me, if planed well! no one will give a dam... about it.....including ... NATO+ USA???

 

[Neo]

Pakistan rejects truce offer by militants in tribal area: official ​

Sun Aug 24, 2008

KHAR, Pakistan (AFP) - Pakistan on Sunday rejected a ceasefire offered by Taliban militants in a troubled tribal region near the Afghan border as troops killed seven rebel fighters, officials said.

The militants in the Bajaur region offered a unilateral ceasefire as a two-week-old military operation left some 500 people dead.

"We have directed our militants to stop attacks against the government and security forces in Bajaur from today," Maulvi Omar, spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (Taliban Movement), told AFP.

The decision has been taken following talks with tribal elders, he said in a telephone call from unknown location.

"The jirga (elders' council) insisted that Taliban should stop fighting in the interest of the people of Bajaur."

The jirga has "assured" that troops will also suspend shelling and bombing raids in the area, he said.

"We are ready for talks with the government and the truce is an important development towards dialogue," Omar said.

But Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Affairs Rehman Malik immediately rejected the offer.

"We will not accept the ceasefire," Malik told reporters in Islamabad.

"We do not believe in their verbal commitments. If they are sincere they should first surrender," he said, adding that tribal militants have violated their pledges in the past after troops stopped their operations.

Pakistani forces moved into Bajaur, a known hub of Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants, earlier this month. The government says at least 500 militants have been killed since then.

Troops fired artillery shells and gunship helicopters pounded suspected militant hideouts almost daily since the operation was mounted on August 6.

The offensive has displaced nearly 200,000 people in the region so far.

Pakistan's fragile coalition government, which forced US ally president Pervez Musharraf to resign on August 18, is under heavy international pressure to tackle Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants.

US and Afghan officials say the rebels have sanctuaries in the rugged tribal border regions of Pakistan that they use to train, regroup and launch attacks on international troops in Afghanistan.

Pakistani troops killed seven more militants as clashes continued in the tribal belt and Taliban rebels slaughtered an alleged spy, officials said Sunday.

Troops launched a mortar attack on suspected militant hideouts in Bajaur overnight after their checkposts came under attack, security officials said.

"Five militants were killed in the mortar fire targeting suspected militant hideouts," an official said, requesting anonymity.

Officials said that Taliban militants in the area slit the throat of a 35-year-old man after accusing him of spying for US troops across the border in Afghanistan.

Militants also attacked two security posts in another tribal district of South Waziristan late Saturday, wounding three soldiers, officials said adding that two militants were killed in retaliatory strikes.

 

[Contrarian]

Thats an excellent decision!

 

[Neo]

I think there will be a major shift in policy now a civil government is incharge. Not sure how the response will be from the militants...I think we should prepare for more attacks in major cities.

 

[ejaz007]

Poor health, insecurity prompts Baitullah to nominate deputies
Monday, August 25, 2008
By Rahimullah Yusufzai

PESHAWAR: Due to his poor health and the constant threat to his life, Baitullah Mehsud has reportedly nominated three of his commanders in the South Waziristan Agency to coordinate with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chapters in the tribal areas and districts of the NWFP.

Sources in the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) said Waliur Rahman and two unidentified commanders were named to pass on Baitullah Mehsud's instructions to the organisation's chapters in all the tribal regions and districts in the province. Messages meant for Baitullah Mehsud would also be communicated through the three commanders.

The sources said Baitullah Mehsud, in his late 30s, was suffering from diabetes and hypertension for the last four years. However, his condition deteriorated about two months ago when his blood glucose, or sugar, levels rose and his kidneys were infected. He was suffering from Type 1 diabetes and needed insulin injections regularly. "Sometimes, he is in a poor state of health and appears to be critically ill. But there are occasions when he bounces back to health and is so sturdy that nobody can tell that he is ill," the sources said.

Security officials who have been monitoring Baitullah Mehsud's health and movements maintained that both his kidneys had been damaged. They felt he was facing serious health problems. One senior security official even felt that Baitullah Mehsud was probably seeking a doctor for his own treatment when he recently wrote to his commanders to ask them to arrange doctors for the injured al-Qaeda deputy leader Dr Ayman al-Zawahiri. It was claimed that his letter had been intercepted. This created a flurry of interest in the Western media as there was speculation that Zawahiri was injured in a missile strike by US Predator in South Waziristan. However, the news about Zawahiri getting injured was never confirmed and doubts were expressed about the authenticity of the letter.

Whether Baitullah Mehsud was seeking doctors for his own treatment or for someone else is beside the point. The fact remains that he is ill and is in need of regular medical care. Sources close to him stressed that he wasn't seriously ill even though diabetes, high blood pressure and other illnesses at times made him incapable of fully discharging his functions.

Poor health, insecurity prompts Baitullah to nominate deputies

 

[fatman17]

Poor health, insecurity prompts Baitullah to nominate deputies
Monday, August 25, 2008
By Rahimullah Yusufzai

PESHAWAR: Due to his poor health and the constant threat to his life, Baitullah Mehsud has reportedly nominated three of his commanders in the South Waziristan Agency to coordinate with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chapters in the tribal areas and districts of the NWFP.

Sources in the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) said Waliur Rahman and two unidentified commanders were named to pass on Baitullah Mehsud's instructions to the organisation's chapters in all the tribal regions and districts in the province. Messages meant for Baitullah Mehsud would also be communicated through the three commanders.

The sources said Baitullah Mehsud, in his late 30s, was suffering from diabetes and hypertension for the last four years. However, his condition deteriorated about two months ago when his blood glucose, or sugar, levels rose and his kidneys were infected. He was suffering from Type 1 diabetes and needed insulin injections regularly. "Sometimes, he is in a poor state of health and appears to be critically ill. But there are occasions when he bounces back to health and is so sturdy that nobody can tell that he is ill," the sources said.

Security officials who have been monitoring Baitullah Mehsud's health and movements maintained that both his kidneys had been damaged. They felt he was facing serious health problems. One senior security official even felt that Baitullah Mehsud was probably seeking a doctor for his own treatment when he recently wrote to his commanders to ask them to arrange doctors for the injured al-Qaeda deputy leader Dr Ayman al-Zawahiri. It was claimed that his letter had been intercepted. This created a flurry of interest in the Western media as there was speculation that Zawahiri was injured in a missile strike by US Predator in South Waziristan. However, the news about Zawahiri getting injured was never confirmed and doubts were expressed about the authenticity of the letter.

Whether Baitullah Mehsud was seeking doctors for his own treatment or for someone else is beside the point. The fact remains that he is ill and is in need of regular medical care. Sources close to him stressed that he wasn't seriously ill even though diabetes, high blood pressure and other illnesses at times made him incapable of fully discharging his functions.

Poor health, insecurity prompts Baitullah to nominate deputies

i read somewhere he has taken a 2nd wife - so he must be in good health!

 

[RabzonKhan]

The sooner Baitullah Mehsud goes to hell the better as far as I'm concerned.

 

[RabzonKhan]

Bajaur tribes to fight Taliban

August 25, 2008
LAHORE: Tribal elders belonging to various parts of Bajaur Agency have decided to fight the local Taliban, and demanded that the government halt the ongoing military operation in the agency, Samaa TV reported on Sunday. According to the channel, tribal jirgas held in Mamoon, Salarzai and Khar tehsils decided that local tribes would not provide shelter to the Taliban in their areas. daily times monitor

 

[fatman17]

Pakistan: Top US diplomat escapes gun attack

By RIAZ KHAN

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Gunmen opened fire on the top U.S. diplomat in northwestern Pakistan early Tuesday as she left for work in her armored vehicle, police and embassy officials said. No one was killed in the attack.

Lynne Tracy, principal officer for the consulate in the bustling city of Peshawar, was 100 yards from her house when two men with AK-47s jumped out of their dark blue Land Cruiser and sprayed her car with dozens of rounds of ammunition.

Her driver reversed the vehicle and peeled back to her home, said Arshad Khan, the local police chief and senior investigator in the case.

The brazen attack came hours after the breakup of Pakistan's ruling coalition government, a fracture that could concentrate more power into the hands of a party that says it is committed to supporting the U.S. war on terror.

The government Monday announced a ban on the Pakistani Taliban — blamed for a wave of suicide bombings in recent days — and hours earlier rejected a cease-fire offer in the Bajur tribal region by the militants.

Khan said Tracy's Land Cruiser was damaged, but only slightly, thanks to its heavy armor.

Though no one was killed by the gunfire, a rickshaw driver was hurt when his three-wheeled taxi was hit by the consulate vehicle, he said. The man was hospitalized, but the extent of his injuries was not immediately known.

Militant activity is rampant in parts of northwest Pakistan, a rumored hiding place of Osama bin Laden, though mainly in tribal regions where U.S. officials say insurgents have found safe havens in which to plan attacks on American and NATO forces across the border in Afghanistan.

Peshawar, a crowded, dusty city, has not been immune, and concerns about militant activity in and around it prompted the government to stage a paramilitary offensive in neighboring Khyber tribal region earlier this year.

Talat Masood, a political and military analyst, said American and other diplomats seen as allies in the war on terror, could increasingly be the targets of militant attacks, especially in the next few weeks.

"I think they have to be very careful" he said, noting the army was intensifying its campaign in tribal regions along the Afghan border. "They should take a low profile, their movements should be restricted during this period."

Masood did not think Western allies should scale back their presence, however, saying that would only embolden the militants and demoralize Pakistanis.

There have been a string of suicide bombings since Pervez Musharraf resigned as president after nearly nine divisive years in power just over a week ago.

The Taliban claimed to be behind a twin suicide bombing at a weapons manufacturing complex near the federal capital, Islamabad, that killed 67 people — one of the largest terrorist attacks ever in the country.

There have been at least three bloody attacks since then. The Taliban spokesman could not immediately be reached to comment on Tuesday's attack.

Pakistan, where anti-American sentiment runs deep, is considered a hardship posting for U.S. diplomats, with many coming for one-year stints without family.

However, while there are occasional attacks on Western targets, ones directly targeting U.S. officials are still relatively unusual. Top diplomats in particular tend to have high security and are often restricted in what places they are allowed to visit.

Along with its embassy, the U.S. has three consulates in Pakistan — in Peshawar, the eastern city of Lahore and the southern city of Karachi. In 2006, a suicide attacker blew himself up outside the Karachi consulate, killing a U.S. diplomat.

In 2002, five people, including two Americans, were killed when a militant hurled grenades into a Protestant church in Islamabad attended by members of the diplomatic community.

The U.S. Embassy provided few details about Tuesday's attack, saying only that there was a "security incident" involving three consulate employees. It would not name or describe the employees.

"There were no injuries and minimal damage to the vehicle," spokesman Lou Fintor added. "We are coordinating with Pakistani authorities in investigating the incident."

Meanwhile Tuesday, in Pakistan's southwest Baluchistan province, a bomb rigged to a motorcycle parked near the stage of a political rally in the town of Jaaferabad wounded at least 20 people, some critically, police official Nazir Ahmad said.

The attacks come as the country's ruling coalition has crumbled. Just a week before, the two main parties united to drive Musharraf, the stalwart U.S. ally in the war on terror, from the presidency, but their partnership collapsed Monday over disputes about his successor and how to restore judges he had ousted.

The main ruling Pakistan People's Party is expected to cobble together a new coalition now that its key junior partner has quit, avoiding the need for another general election.

The People's Party, long led by slain ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, moved almost immediately to calm U.S. fears that the government is paying too little attention to extremism, banning the Taliban group and demanding they surrender their arms.

Bhutto's widower and political successor, Asif Ali Zardari, has said he will run for president, and is expected to win easily. The party submitted his nomination papers Tuesday.

Associated Press Writers Robin McDowell and Munir Ahmad in Islamabad and Abdul Sattar in Quetta contributed to this report.

 

[fatman17]

Pakistan-US counter-terrorism talks held

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States agreed on Monday to take measures to counter terrorism financing networks including drug trafficking, as it was one of the main sources of funding for terrorists.

Talking about ways to counter terrorism during the 5th session of the Pakistan-US Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism, senior officials agreed to enhance security co-operation to eliminate the threat of terrorism.

Adviser on Interior Rehman Malik inaugurated the session and Interior Secretary Kamal Shah led the Pakistani side, whereas Dell Dailey, co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism in the US Department of State, led the US delegation.

“It was agreed that it was essential to adopt and enforce steps to effectively counter terrorist financing, enhancing police/security co-operation and combating drug trafficking that funds terrorism,” the Interior Ministry said.

Malik reiterated Pakistan's firm commitment to fight terrorism and extremism in its own national interest. He stressed the need for close co-operation between Pakistan and the US for effectively combating the scourge of terrorism.

The aviser stated that a comprehensive approach comprising political, economic and security dimensions was vital. He underlined the need for capacity building and training of the institutions and security forces engaged in this effort.

Dell Dailey appreciated the contribution made by Pakistan to counter terrorism. He emphasised that it was a long-term struggle and would require commitment from both sides. staff report

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[syedaamirmsd]

I don't wish to go too far off the topic but under the general umbrella of the "war on terror", what I feel is sorely lacking in Pakistani media is its support in building public opinion against the Taliban. I agree that the media must be objective and report the facts but why haven't we in Pakistan been given a chance to familiarize ourselves with the families of suicide bombing victims; to see first hand the thousands of more lives that the terrorists have ruined? All we are given to believe is that the Taliban is made up of Pakistanis and that a great harm is being caused by fighting them.

Furthermore, when will we acknowledge the fact that this "war on terror" is a civil war and it must be fought for our country's salvation? Najam Sethi used, what I found to be frightening, the words "The war to end Pakistan has now begun." Chilling. I grew up in the U.S. and went to England for university. I came back to Pakistan because it was the only place on this Earth I could call home. And now I feel I may not have a home at all.

Anyway, apologies for the digression.

 

[fatman17]

I don't wish to go too far off the topic but under the general umbrella of the "war on terror", what I feel is sorely lacking in Pakistani media is its support in building public opinion against the Taliban. I agree that the media must be objective and report the facts but why haven't we in Pakistan been given a chance to familiarize ourselves with the families of suicide bombing victims; to see first hand the thousands of more lives that the terrorists have ruined? All we are given to believe is that the Taliban is made up of Pakistanis and that a great harm is being caused by fighting them.

Furthermore, when will we acknowledge the fact that this "war on terror" is a civil war and it must be fought for our country's salvation? Najam Sethi used, what I found to be frightening, the words "The war to end Pakistan has now begun." Chilling. I grew up in the U.S. and went to England for university. I came back to Pakistan because it was the only place on this Earth I could call home. And now I feel I may not have a home at all.

Anyway, apologies for the digression.

the media is doing exactly the opposite - did anyone see hamid mir's report on the bajaur agency DPs!

 

[araz]

i read somewhere he has taken a 2nd wife - so he must be in good health!

that will raise his blood pressure further!!! Diabetes and hypertension in 30s without treatment may mean a n early demise. He enjoys life while he can. I dont wish death on anybody but I find it hard to pity him, given the blood on his hands.
Interestingly, it was revealed q week ago that PAF Mirage had fired a rocket which had hit its mark and someone very high in the chain of command in the Taliban either got neutralized or badly injured. Alll of a sudden there is news of BM being unwell and appointing deputies. A correlation???
Araz