N & S Waziristan Taliban Groups Join Forces

[ejaz007]

Mehsud stops support to Taliban groups
FIDA HUSSAIN


ISLAMABAD (February 24 2009): Chief of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Baitullah Mehsud has stopped his support in strategic planning and training to Taliban groups, operating in different areas of Fata and Swat. The announcement came after Mehsud formed a new alliance with Maulvi Nazir and Qari Gul Bahadar - the pro-Pakistan leaders, who are signatory to still intact North Waziristan peace agreement with the Federal government.

The new alliance, "Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen," in the twin agencies of Waziristan with Mulla Omar as its supreme leader, indicates that the TTP will remain in allegiance to the former Afghan ruler, who totally disowns and opposes the Taliban activities against the military and paramilitary forces inside Pakistan.

Informed sources told Business Recorder here on Monday that the formation of new alliance is the opening of a new chapter in the Taliban history that would have direct impact on the ongoing militancy both in Pakistan and Afghanistan. To a question if the new alliance is a tactical move by the Taliban leadership to prepare fighters for upcoming summer offensive in Afghanistan, the sources said that it would be premature to assume that.

"There could be some good news for both Pakistan and Afghanistan during next few months. There could be some good news for the new US government," the sources said. They said that it was encouraging that the international community did not out-rightly reject the agreement between the government and the defunct Tehrik Nafaz-e-Shariat Muhammadi (TNSM) on establishing Qazi courts in Malakand division and Kohistan district.

"Some US officials expressed their reservations on the agreement, but there were others, who praised it. Expressing reservations on an issue is one thing and opposing it or pressing a government to abolish it is another," the sources said. Though it was too late to give peace a chance, the new governments in Pakistan and the US had realised that peaceful means were never sincerely tried, they said.

The sources said that Pakistan's former military dictator General Pervez Musharraf (Retd) and the ex-US president George W Bush were not trying to give peace a chance because they were of the view that this development could have been judged as their weakness. Though Musharraf government had signed the peace agreement with Taliban in North Waziristan, he and his government were unable to use this agreement for the benefit of Pakistan as a whole. Musharraf was not at all liked either by the Taliban leadership or Fata people, they added.

New US President Barrack Obama's administration was not under any compulsion to go ahead with what it inherited from his predecessor, they said, adding that the widespread hatred for America was actually targeted towards Bush. The new US President could turn the table and he could find some love if the US policy of deterrence and use of force was revisited, they added.

The back channel negotiations with the Taliban in Afghanistan, they said, had been going on and some Gulf countries had been actively engaged in these efforts. The formation of "Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen" and the 13-member Shoora to look after the affairs of the TTP was also an indication that Baitullah Mehsud almost agreed to Maulvi Nazir and Qari Gul Bahadar not to carry out any activity inside Pakistan. Baitullah Mehsud never said that he was anti-Pakistan.

On the other hand, he expressed his readiness to defend Pakistan following India's war threats in the backdrop of November 2008 Mumbai attacks, they said. The sources said pro-Mulla Omar members would dominate the Shoora. In the past, Mulla Omar clarified several times that he had nothing to do with Taliban activities inside Pakistan. Nearly all the Taliban groups owe allegiance to Mulla Omar, they added.

Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]

 

[ajpirzada]

Mulla Omar orders halt to attacks on Pak troops

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

By Mazhar Tufail

ISLAMABAD: The militants active in North and South Waziristan agencies have been directed by Mulla Omar to immediately stop their attacks on the Pakistani security forces.

In a letter to the militants, who have forged a new alliance, Mulla Omar admonished them not to fight the Pakistani security forces and kill their Muslim brethren, a reliable source told The News on Monday.

“Mulla Omar first sent an envoy to the local Taliban and then wrote a letter to the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) admonishing these leaders and told the TTP that fighting Muslims could not be described as Jihad so they should immediately cease attacks on the Pakistani security forces.

He told them that if they really want to participate in Jihad, they must fight the US and Nato troops inside Afghanistan because their attacks on the Pakistani security forces are undermining the objectives of the war against the invaders and cause of the Taliban movement.

“If anybody really wants to wage Jihad, he must fight the occupation forces inside Afghanistan,” the source quoted Mulla Omar as having told the TTP leaders. “Attacks on the Pakistani security forces and killing of fellow Muslims by the militants in the tribal areas and elsewhere in Pakistan is bringing a bad name to Mujahideen and harming the war against the US and Nato forces in Afghanistan.”

“Our aim is to liberate Afghanistan from the occupation forces and death and destruction inside neighbouring Pakistan has never been our goal,” he added. The source said according to Mulla Omar, the US was devising a new strategy and adopting new tactics to crush Mujahideen in Afghanistan so the Taliban, too, must forge unity in their ranks, and instead of operating in Pakistan, they must concentrate on actions against the US and Nato forces.

He said the new alliance has been directed by Mulla Omar to devise a new strategy to counter the invaders because the reinforcement of the US forces in Afghanistan is food for thought for all the forces fighting the occupation forces in the war-ravaged country.

“The formation of a new alliance of militants by the name of Shura Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen is aimed at implementing the advice given by Mullah Omar,” the source said. “After this development, the attacks on security forces by the local Taliban will decrease if not end completely,” he said.

This correspondent tried to seek comments from some government officials and leaders of the ruling parties, including the Awami National Party and the Pakistan People’s Party, but they refused to say anything on record.

However, one of the officials contacted by The News feared that if the newly found alliance of the militants stepped up their attacks on the coalition troops inside Afghanistan, it would create many problems for Pakistan and Islamabad would face its consequences.

According to an announcement made on Sunday, the new alliance comprises groups led by central head of the banned TTP, Baitullah Mehsud, and Maulvi Nazir of South Waziristan and Hafiz Gul Bahadar of North Waziristan, two militant commanders who were considered to be pro-government. A 13-member body has also been named to run the affairs of the new alliance.


Mulla Omar orders halt to attacks on Pak troops

 

[batmannow]

thats a great , development for pakistan!
at least in the end , they (taliban) realized that its not , PAKARMY OR pakistan , who are thier enimies or the occupyants of the afghanistan, i really hope that this gesture will bring peace in pakistan.

 

[Zovc]

Wow this is amazing. First swat deal, then this, the government is on a role!!!

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

This isn't really that positive of a move -so long as these militants carry out cross border attacks in Afghanistan, Pakistan will be responsible.

So long as the Taliban maintain armed militias on Pakistani soil and the government writ does not hold, Pakistan cannot in the truest sense consider that territory its sovereign territory.

This might be positive in the short run, in that it allows the military to potentially establish control over areas it is currently fighting in, such as Bajaur, Mohmand and Khyber, but eventually the Taliban are going to have to either come to an agreement with the GoA, or be attacked in Waziristan as well.

 

[ajpirzada]

glad they are not gonna target us for the drone attacks and will rather go to afghanistan and target those carryin out these attacks.
also i think they want more ppl in afghanistan now coz of additional 17000 troops coming in. that is the reason why they have formed that alliance. gud thing is that alliance wont work against pakistan coz two of the three members are pro pakistan.
anyways wateva it is, its gud for pakistan lik wat 'batmannow' said

 

[ajpirzada]

Pak suspends military operation for in Bajaur

Islamabad, Feb 24: Pakistani security forces today announced a four-day ceasefire in the restive Bajaur tribal region in response to a truce called by the Taliban after signing a secret peace accord with the government.

The Political Agent of the semi-autonomous Bajaur Agency, Shafirullah Khan, said the security forces were requested by elders of the Mahmond tribe to reciprocate the unilateral ceasefire announced by the militants yesterday.

Khan told reporters that the military operation in Bajaur Agency had not been ended and the ceasefire will be observed by the security forces for four days. During this period starting tomorrow, the security forces will not initiate any operation undertake any activity, he said.

Any attack on the security forces during the ceasefire will be retaliated with "full might," Khan said.

The announcement of the ceasefire was made as a goodwill gesture and similar initiatives could be taken in future to restore peace and normalcy in the area, he said.

Taliban militants today indefinitely extended a ceasefire in Pakistan's northwestern Swat Valley, a day after militants in Bajaur announced a similar truce.

Shafirullah Khan said members of a tribal jirga have taken responsibility for the peaceful withdrawal of security forces from Bajaur agency if "serious initiatives" were made by the militants.

The truce in Bajaur Agency came after months of fierce fighting between militants and security forces backed by artillery and airpower.

The government had earlier claimed that over 1,500 militants were killed in the anti-Taliban operation launched in Bajaur in August last year.

Bajaur news-Pak suspends military operation for in Bajaur

 

[batmannow]

This isn't really that positive of a move -so long as these militants carry out cross border attacks in Afghanistan, Pakistan will be responsible.

So long as the Taliban maintain armed militias on Pakistani soil and the government writ does not hold, Pakistan cannot in the truest sense consider that territory its sovereign territory.

This might be positive in the short run, in that it allows the military to potentially establish control over areas it is currently fighting in, such as Bajaur, Mohmand and Khyber, but eventually the Taliban are going to have to either come to an agreement with the GoA, or be attacked in Waziristan as well.

DEAR sir,
i guss its not our problum any way!
if USA is a super power , it should fight alone, if they cant face talibans, then they should start negociations, times are changing even US , is looking for safe exit, thier economy is down , just because of this WOT?
but i can assure you PAKARMY is not ready to fight ,its own peoples!

sawt accord is bringing the trust of the peoples of FATA, that pak govt & pakarmy respects the ISLAM & its deeds, i would like to differ with you, & i am sure with sawt becomming a exampleof peace & pakistani brother hood , peace will going to take its course in allover pakistan very soon , including Bajaur, Mohmand and Khyber & Waziristan

 

[S-2]

"...glad they are not gonna target us for the drone attacks and will rather go to afghanistan and target those carryin out these attacks."

No, ajPirzada. Drone attacks will likely continue in Pakistan so long as you allow the militants sanctuary on your lands. Perhaps more if the rest of the forty one nations in Afghanistan come to the conclusion that these attacks are encouraged by the GoP. Sanctuary openly permitted by the GoP would be sufficient cause to consider all options were it necessary to assure the U.N.'s success of the Afghanistan mission.

 

[S-2]

"i guss its not our problum any way!"

Why would you say that? Is Pakistan a sovereign nation? If so, then why didn't you defend your borders when invaded by the defeated taliban army in the late fall of 2001 and later?

They took possession of FATA and control it in all but name now. They attack a neighboring country from your soil and I presume, batmannow, that you encourage this action. If so, then you're an enemy of your nation and mine.

Sovereignty entails both rights AND responsibilities-something of which you appear utterly unaware. If you can't see the essential wrong of harboring these men within your borders and permitting them to slaughter innocent Afghans (1300 civilians died by insurgent hands last year in Afghanistan) then there is something terribly wrong with you.

These attacks against Afghanistan from Pakistani soil have gone on since 2002. No nation, least of all one so afflicted by incessant war as Afghanistan, should accept a neighbor allowing these worthless creatures sanctuary from which to make war. Neither shall the forty one nations attempting to assist Afghanistan gain a better future permit as much.

 

[batmannow]

"...glad they are not gonna target us for the drone attacks and will rather go to afghanistan and target those carryin out these attacks."

No, ajPirzada. Drone attacks will likely continue in Pakistan so long as you allow the militants sanctuary on your lands. Perhaps more if the rest of the forty one nations in Afghanistan come to the conclusion that these attacks are encouraged by the GoP. Sanctuary openly permitted by the GoP would be sufficient cause to consider all options were it necessary to assure the U.N.'s success of the Afghanistan mission.

S-2;sir
no , i am sure drone are going to be stopped any way & very soon!
forty one nations in Afghanistan are the invading forces, so if they cant fight , talibans on the ground, thn its the time for "forty one nations in Afghanistan" get ready for negociations, or get lost!

 

[qsaark]

"i guss its not our problum any way!"Why would you say that? Is Pakistan a sovereign nation? If so, then why didn't you defend your borders when invaded by the defeated taliban army in the late fall of 2001 and later?

Pakistan's borders are not invaded by the Taliban. Our borders are invaded by the US.

 

[qsaark]

forty one nations in Afghanistan are the invading forces, so if they cant fight , talibans on the ground, thn its the time for "forty one nations in Afghanistan" get ready for negociations, or get lost!)

Great. I'll give you 8 thumbs up salute (actually I wanted to give you 21 thumbs up salute but I am not allowed more than 8)

 

[batmannow]

"i guss its not our problum any way!"

Why would you say that? Is Pakistan a sovereign nation? If so, then why didn't you defend your borders when invaded by the defeated taliban army in the late fall of 2001 and later?

They took possession of FATA and control it in all but name now. They attack a neighboring country from your soil and I presume, batmannow, that you encourage this action. If so, then you're an enemy of your nation and mine.

Sovereignty entails both rights AND responsibilities-something of which you appear utterly unaware. If you can't see the essential wrong of harboring these men within your borders and permitting them to slaughter innocent Afghans (1300 civilians died by insurgent hands last year in Afghanistan) then there is something terribly wrong with you.

These attacks against Afghanistan from Pakistani soil have gone on since 2002. No nation, least of all one so afflicted by incessant war as Afghanistan, should accept a neighbor allowing these worthless creatures sanctuary from which to make war. Neither shall the forty one nations attempting to assist Afghanistan gain a better future permit as much.

are you talkin to me?
cause there is no one around

hi,
its not pakistans problum , its US problum!
why dont US cant see , muslims dying in GAZA, what it did to stop it!
well , sorry i can understand , your dejections that from china to iran , USA has been kicked out.
its the last pics , what are you watching of US's , single superpowerism, take the soliders back to home, stop spending your money on killing muslims!
make your economy good & start living in the equal world.
except it, it would be good for you & for USA!

are you talkin to me?
are you talkin to me

 

[Omar1984]

The original Taliban movement led by Mullah Omar was never a problem for Pakistan.

The new Taliban movement led by Baitullah Mehsud are Terrorists and are being supported by Indian agents.

Dont confuse the two.