KashifAsrar
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Ops in tribal areas could split Pak army
Ex-Chief Of ISI Says Musharrafs Days Are Numbered
New York: A strong action in Pakistans lawless tribal areas bordering Afghanistan by beleagured Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf could lead to a spilt in the army, a media report said on Saturday.
Detailing a multitude of troubles that Musharraf faces at home, Time magazine quoting a former head of the powerful intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence said many foreign observers believe that his days are numbered as leader of Pakistan, raising the issue of who could possibly replace Americas primary ally in the war against terror in this critical region.
The Pakistan president has come under strong criticism from the United States for his policy of nonengagement in the tribal areas which is now considered a complete failure. Washington is demanding that Musharraf do more to rein in terrorists, extremists and religious fundamentalists. But in an interview with the magazine, Hamid Gul, former head of ISI, has warned that if Musharraf does take both gloves off in tribal areas, it would just increase the likelihood of a split in army.
The officer cadres are liberal, secular, they come from the elite classes. But the rank and file of the army were never secular, they were always religious, Gul said. If there is a face-off between the army and people, the leadership may lose control of the army. The army does not feel happy. They are from the same streets, the same villages, the same bazaars of the lower and middle classes, and they want the same thing (Islamic law) for their country.
The increasing suicide attacks in Pakistan in the wake of storming of Lal Masjid by army in which a large number of militants were killed have brought some relief to Afghanistan. Word on the streets of Kabul is that the suicide bombers from Pakistans tribal areas who until recently headed west into Afghanistan to train Afghan militants or carry out attacks themselves are now heading east into the cities of Pakistan, where they have new motives and better targets to attack, it added. PTI