Pakistan to end military operation and implement sharia in Malakand Division

[Loyal American]

This makes me sick, NOT a good deal!

Pakistan to end military operation and implement sharia in Malakand Division

By Bill Roggio
February 15, 2009 11:22 AM

The Pakistani government has negotiated an agreement with the Taliban in the war-torn district of Swat to end the fighting in exchange for the implementation of sharia, or Islamic law in a large region of the Northwest Frontier Province.

Negotiations on the five-point agreement have been conducted between the government of the insurgency-infested Northwest Frontier Province and Sufi Mohammed, the spiritual leader of the Movement for the Implementation of Mohammad's Sharia Law, and Mullah Fazlullah, the leader of the Swat Taliban and Sufi's son-in-law.

The provincial government agreed to allow for the implementation of sharia law the entire Malakand Division, a large region in the Northwest Frontier Province made up of the districts of Malakand, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Dir, and Chitral, Geo News reported (http://www.geo.tv/2-15-2009/35200.htm). The government agreed to end the military operation in Swat and participate in the "rebuilding process," ARY Television reported (http://www.thearynews.com/english/newsdetail.asp?nid=22002). Girls schools, which have been savaged by the Taliban and forced to close, will be reopened.

Rest in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/pakistan_to_end_mili.php

[5thIDSoldier]

There are lots pf ways to look at this I guess. I'm not sure if it will be bad or good for the war effort, but my instincts say maybe not so good.

[Loyal American]

There are lots pf ways to look at this I guess. I'm not sure if it will be bad or good for the war effort, but my instincts say maybe not so good.I don't know but here is something else to think about.......



US airstrike in Pakistan's Kurram tribal agency kills 30

By Bill Roggio
February 16, 2009 8:47 AM

The US appears to be expanding its campaign of cross border strikes into Pakistan after several unmanned US Predator aircraft conducted multiple attacks in the Taliban-controlled tribal agency of Kurram.

More than 30 people have been reported killed after four Predator aircraft launched at least four Hellfire missiles at a training camp in the Sarpal region that is run by Bahram Khan Kochi, a commander of Taliban forces operating inside Afghanistan, Geo News reported (http://www.geo.tv/2-16-2009/35249.htm). The toll is expected to rise as more bodies are thought to be under the rubble.

No senior al Qaeda or Taliban commanders have been reported killed at this time.

The Taliban have expanded its control into Kurram by backing the wave of sectarian fighting between Sunni and Shia in the region. The Shia have been forced into small enclaves in Parachinar and other areas as the Pakistani military has refused to come to their aid.

Rest in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/us_airstrike_in_paki.php

[kenpoman]

not good, but not at all unexpected.

Paki is the spiritual home of the Taliban, and Mushariffs govt
and military were overrun with them.

at least now we know where the stand - openly.

as much as I'd like to blame Obama for this, it was gonna
happen regardless of who was in the WH.

big question for Obama is now what?

[Loyal American]

Kenpo, I think BO can count on one thing for sure, P-stan ain't not gonna lift a figure to help our efforts at all in A-stan, this is turning into one hell of a situation! AND not that P-stan was doin' anything helpful in the first place but things just got more complicated!

[kenpoman]

Kenpo, I think BO can count on one thing for sure, P-stan ain't not gonna lift a figure to help our efforts at all in A-stan, this is turning into one hell of a situation! AND not that P-stan was doin' anything helpful in the first place but things just got more complicated!

your lips to Gods ears on that.

this is why Obama as POTUS scares the fool out of me.
if that situtation isn't handled very carefully, it'll explode
big time. only about 2/3rds of it is a functional country
anyways. the rest is lawless by anyone's standards.

and they got nukes.

I would hope Delta and the Seals are quietly busy over there.

[Hereintheusa]

Hang on a minute wasnt President Bush saying since 2001 that Pakistan is an ally in the war against terror. Did we not turn a blind eye to the fact that Musharraf was a leader who took power by force and by allying ourselves with him it made a mockery of everything we were doing.

What has happened in Pakistan has given the Taliban the confidence to move forward and consolidate on the gains they have moved.

But then for years I have been saying that Pakistan and Afghanistan is the true front line on the Islamic extremists.

This situation does not bode well for the region.

[mrclark]

Remember....this didn't happen on Booosh's watch.

It happened on the God-king's watch. Let's see...who is the "Lightweilder's" 'diplomat' in that region now....ahhh yes, Mr Holbrooke.

a real winner....

Pakisanis....GIRD YOUR LOINS.....

[mrclark]

Oh, and uh...yes, er, um.......they have Nuclear weapons..

SHARIA LAW!!!

how's that 'dip-lomacy' thing working for ya there Mr Obama..

[ModerateVoice]

Its time to become very, very good friends with India; the historical enemy of Pakistan....I'm sorry, for a moment I was thinking logically and living in the pre-Obama world.

[Gengar]

*COUGH*

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article5747696.ece

[crux]

*COUGH*

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article5747696.ece

This is why the US named people like Hamid Gul to put on a terrorist watch list

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamid_Gul

Malakas Land..what a great name ;)

[Gengar]

I think Abib Sarajuddin, Khan Zaman, Gul Zaman and Mohammad Gul are all in Gitmo too? Haqqani's deputies...

What's Obama gunna do with them.............................................. .....

[rhet 2]

This crap happens only in Hippie La La Land Fiction World.

The King of Absolutism invites Hamas to US soil, slaughters dozens of helpless Muslim VICTIMS of islamic imperialism with multi-million dollar missiles that achieve NOTHING, AND ensures that the imperialists have a lovely protected region to train and recruit in, with all the political power needed to set off jihad ops in Western nations.

And claims to be a "humanist" who gives a damn about human rights, all at the same time.

I'm damned sick and tired of Liberal Fiction World brutality and cruel indifference to crimes against humanity THEY THEMSELVES FOSTER, AID AND ABET.

MEGA BARF -- I just wish I could do so in Clinton/Carter/Obama Mite faces.

[Gengar]

Don't forget... Bammy is going to "loosen" sanctions on the murderous Burma junta.

[Loyal American]

Analysis: Pakistan peace agreement cedes ground to the Taliban

By Bill Roggio
February 18, 2009 12:08 PM

Pakistan's political and military leaders have endorsed the peace agreement that allows for the imposition of sharia, or Islamic law in a large portion of the Northwest Frontier Province and ends the government's military operation in Swat. The agreement will lead to a further deterioration of the situation in Pakistan and is a direct threat to the security of the Pakistani state.

The agreement, known as the Malakand Accord (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/pakistan_to_end_mili.php), was reached between the provincial government and Sufi Mohammed, the spiritual leader of the outlawed Movement for the Implementation of Mohammad's Sharia Law, on Feb. 15. The next day the peace agreement was made official, and the Taliban forces under the command of Mullah Fazlullah, Sufi's son-in-law, agreed to a 10-day cease fire.

Sufi Mohammed claims to have eschewed violence after being released from last year as a condition of a similar failed peace agreement in Swat. Sufi led more than 10,000 Pakistanis into Afghanistan after the US invasion in 2001. Sufi recently said he hates democracy, sought to impose Islamic rule throughout the world, and said the Afghan Taliban were "ideal example" for other countries to follow.

“From the very beginning, I have viewed democracy as a system imposed on us by the infidels. Islam does not allow democracy or elections,” Sufi told Deutsche Presse-Agentur (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\02\18\story_18-2-2009_pg1_8) just days before the Malakand Accord was signed. “I believe the Taliban government formed a complete Islamic state, which was an ideal example for other Muslim countries."

Fazlullah is the deputy of Baitullah Mehsud's Tehrik-e-Taliban and has waged a two year campaign of suicide attacks and bombings of schools and much of Swat's infrastructure. Fazlullah broadcasts radical sermons on his illegal FM radio station, where he lauds Osama bin Laden and preaches against polio vaccinations, which he claims is a Western plot to infect the Pashtun people with the AIDS virus.

More in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/analysis_pakistan_pe.php

[E7ALR]

the Malakand Accord was reached between the provincial government and Sufi Mohammed, the spiritual leader of the outlawed Movement for the Implementation of Mohammad's Sharia Law, on Feb. 15. The next day the peace agreement was made official, and the Taliban forces under the command of Mullah Fazlullah, Sufi's son-in-law, agreed to a 10-day cease fire.SO in exchange for their surrender of this territory the Pakistani Government got a "10-day cease fire", then the Islamists are free to begin attacking and trying to take over Pakistan Again. Pakistan must have one hell of a negotiating team to get that deal.:rolleyes:“From the very beginning, I have viewed democracy as a system imposed on us by the infidels. Islam does not allow democracy or elections,” Sufi told Deutsche Presse-Agentur (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\02\18\story_18-2-2009_pg1_8) just days before the Malakand Accord was signed. “I believe the Taliban government formed a complete Islamic state, which was an ideal example for other Muslim countries."
I guess these words just days before by this Sufi character didn't really mean anything.

[BillyBobUSA]

There are lots pf ways to look at this I guess. I'm not sure if it will be bad or good for the war effort, but my instincts say maybe not so good.


Its bad.

[Loyal American]

SO in exchange for their surrender of this territory the Pakistani Government got a "10-day cease fire", then the Islamists are free to begin attacking and trying to take over Pakistan Again. Pakistan must have one hell of a negotiating team to get that deal.:rolleyes:

I guess these words just days before by this Sufi character didn't really mean anything.

Yup, 10 days, just makes me sick! P-stan will suffer but so will A-stan and India! This is going to get ugly very fast since they've been given a green light so to speak! VICTORY in their eyes!

Sufi Mohammed "hates democracy" and calls for global Islamic rule

By Bill Roggio
February 18, 2009 9:14 PM

Sufi Mohammed, the leader of the pro-Taliban group behind the peace agreement (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/pakistan_to_end_mili.php) between the government and the Taliban, has advocated Islamic rule throughout the world and said his followers would work with the government to eliminate Indian intelligence agents operating in the region

The statements were made while Sufi was addressing a rally supporting his peace agreement in Swat, according to a report in an Urdu-language Pakistani newspaper. Sufi arrived in Swat yesterday after conducting a "peace march" from neighboring Dir.

‘‘We hate democracy," Sufi told the crowd of thousands of followers in Mingora. "We want the occupation of Islam in the entire world. Islam does not permit democracy or election.’’

Rest in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/sufi_mohammed_hates_democracy_and_calls_for_global _islamic_rule.php

AND as Kenpo mentioned they have nukes!!! Lot's to think about!

[crux]

‘‘We hate democracy," Sufi told the crowd of thousands of followers in Mingora. "We want the occupation of Islam in the entire world. Islam does not permit democracy or election.’’

"Why do they hate us?" :)

[RedStatePaPa]

"Why do they hate us?" :)

Seriously.


It's getting old though.

[Loyal American]

Seriously.


It's getting old though.
Seriously getting old.......yes!
Seriously still alive, well and spreading.....yes!

[RedStatePaPa]

I have to ask, is anyone else getting fed up of this crap?

I hate to say it but I'm beginning to wonder if it just wouldn't be better to back off and let them destroy one another.

We'll hear them begging us to come back and help them then, won't we.

Ingrates.

[RedStatePaPa]

Basically what we should do is let them battle it out and kill one another until one side or the other wins.


Then, we tell the victor that he has won and can keep his little corner of hell. But if he messes with us or any of our allies, we won't be sending troops or tanks, we will be sending missiles and bombs right down on top of their pointy heads. We won't care about collateral damage and we won't care about the media backlash, we will absolutely smash them back into the stone age.

:evil:


That will never happen though.

[E7ALR]

Yup, 10 days, just makes me sick! P-stan will suffer but so will A-stan and India! This is going to get ugly very fast since they've been given a green light so to speak! VICTORY in their eyes!Now we get to see just how perceptive of world events Obama and crew really are, or aren't.

Any intelligence analyst with half a brain cell knows that the Al Queda has shifted its primary target in Southwest Asia from recapturing Afganistan to overrunning Pakistan. Mullah Omar is no longer the key Taliban leader. His Afgan Taliban group is now second priority. Al Queda is exploiting the modern nation state weakness of paying more attention to artificial lines on maps than to reality on the ground. As cool and bothersome as Predator Missile strikes are in the tribal region, the reality is that Al Queda once again has a safe haven. Their raids into Afganistan, which will continue, have been nothing but a diversion. Al Queda and the Pakistani Taliban are focused on taking control of Pakistan and its nuclear weapons. Pakistan's army is incompetent, with its best units sitting on the Pakistan-India border. Why fight the Afgan + US Army when you can take on just the incompetently led and trained Pakistani Army (which is riddled with AQ and Taliban Sympathizers).

[geauxtohell]

This crap happens only in Hippie La La Land Fiction World.


No, it's happening in the FATA, which I assure you is the opposite of "Hippie La La Land Fiction World", where ever that is.

Apparently Islamabad is ready to conceed that they have no control over the FATA and give that portion of the country up to the Taliban. I find it strange that the ISI-D, one of the most ruthless intelligence agencies in the world, can do nothing to take out the Taliban's higher leadership. Actually I don't, the ISI-D virtually created the Taliban and is still connected to the hip with them.

It's ironic that a movement created by Pakistan to stabilize Afghanistan is now going to "stabilize" Pakistan (in their unique Taliban way of stablizing anything).

I wonder how long it is before they form a party and start controlling seats in parliment.

Not a good development for the region.

[geauxtohell]

Now we get to see just how perceptive of world events Obama and crew really are, or aren't.

Any intelligence analyst with half a brain cell knows that the Al Queda has shifted its primary target in Southwest Asia from recapturing Afganistan to overrunning Pakistan. Mullah Omar is no longer the key Taliban leader. His Afgan Taliban group is now second priority. Al Queda is exploiting the modern nation state weakness of paying more attention to artificial lines on maps than to reality on the ground. As cool and bothersome as Predator Missile strikes are in the tribal region, the reality is that Al Queda once again has a safe haven. Their raids into Afganistan, which will continue, have been nothing but a diversion. Al Queda and the Pakistani Taliban are focused on taking control of Pakistan and its nuclear weapons. Pakistan's army is incompetent, with its best units sitting on the Pakistan-India border. Why fight the Afgan + US Army when you can take on just the incompetently led and trained Pakistani Army (which is riddled with AQ and Taliban Sympathizers).

They'll have a hared time tactically once they "come down from the Mountains" and the land of the Pashtun and try to impose their will on the rest of the country.

Although, maybe if the rest of Pakistan gets desperate enough, they will ask us to start hitting them from the west or providing aerial support.

That might not be a bad development.

[Loyal American]

They'll have a hared time tactically once they "come down from the Mountains" and the land of the Pashtun and try to impose their will on the rest of the country.

Although, maybe if the rest of Pakistan gets desperate enough, they will ask us to start hitting them from the west or providing aerial support.

That might not be a bad development.

I was just getting ready to ask E7ALR what if anything can we do if P-stan doesn't want our help! The above highlighted would be a very good thing!

[E7ALR]

They'll have a hared time tactically once they "come down from the Mountains" and the land of the Pashtun and try to impose their will on the rest of the country.

Although, maybe if the rest of Pakistan gets desperate enough, they will ask us to start hitting them from the west or providing aerial support.

That might not be a bad development.I am more worried about a coup by Islamist Leaning Officers in the Pakistani Army and ISI. The current government isn't strong with the military and definately isn't strong with the Islamists. Its a patchwork of weak spined wanna-be secular liberals. The people of Pakistan could easily find themselves overrun by a taliban style theocracy, just like the Iranians found themselves overrun by the Shia Mullahs.

[Wndrtch]

There are lots pf ways to look at this I guess. I'm not sure if it will be bad or good for the war effort, but my instincts say maybe not so good.

I only "hope" Hillary already donated one of her 4 go-nads to Obama, so he will have what it takes to operate within Pakistan regardless.

This is going to be a HUGE test for Obama to show leadership, for ACTING in the best interest of Americans. Will he cave so the Pakistani's/Muslims won't be mad at him, or will he do te right thing and keep pressure on AQ?

[geauxtohell]

I am more worried about a coup by Islamist Leaning Officers in the Pakistani Army and ISI. The current government isn't strong with the military and definately isn't strong with the Islamists. Its a patchwork of weak spined wanna-be secular liberals. The people of Pakistan could easily find themselves overrun by a taliban style theocracy, just like the Iranians found themselves overrun by the Shia Mullahs.

I don't think ISI needs to conduct a coup, because I think they have as much power as they need and/or want right now.

I think the Taliban is the puppet of the ISI but neither the ISI or the military will ever elevate them to their level.

The Paki military and the ISI is a pretty educated lot of individuals on the whole they've always used the Taliban to meet their own ends. I seriously suspect that half of this truce is just the military telling the central government that they don't give a damn about what happens in the FATA anyways and are sick of messing with the "hicks out in the sticks".

Just my $.02. I think the most dangerous course of action is for the Taliban ideals to gain traction and popular support among the people, if not the people of western Pakistan, perhaps more people and they gain some legitimacy and power as a political party that could be a viable force to be reckened with in a decade or so.

Again, just my $.02. When it comes to that part of the world, you never know what the hell is going to happen.

[geauxtohell]

I only "hope" Hillary already donated one of her 4 go-nads to Obama, so he will have what it takes to operate within Pakistan regardless.

This is going to be a HUGE test for Obama to show leadership, for ACTING in the best interest of Americans. Will he cave so the Pakistani's/Muslims won't be mad at him, or will he do te right thing and keep pressure on AQ?

What do you propose he do? Pakistan is a sovereign nation that we can't afford to **** off right now.

[geauxtohell]

[/B]

I was just getting ready to ask E7ALR what if anything can we do if P-stan doesn't want our help! The above highlighted would be a very good thing!

Yeah, I've always been opposed to going into Pakistan, but if the government asks for our help, that changes the rules.

I wouldn't hold my breath on that though.

[Wndrtch]

What do you propose he do? Pakistan is a sovereign nation that we can't afford to **** off right now.

Pakistan can remain a sovereign nation, so long as She cooperates.

However, the minute She decides to throw in with the Taliban, she looses her right to remain sovereign.

[E7ALR]

What do you propose he do? Pakistan is a sovereign nation that we can't afford to **** off right now.Except now Pakistan is only a partially sovereign nation. It no longer exercises even a faux impression of sovereignty over large swaths of its territory.

[Loyal American]

Swat Taliban demands military withdrawal, prisoner release

By Bill Roggio
February 20, 2009 1:18 AM

The Swat Taliban have issued its opening list of demands in order to implement a peace agreement that was agreed upon by a pro-Taliban group and the government that would end the fighting in Swat and impose sharia, or Islamic law in more than one-third of the Northwest Frontier Province.

As a precondition to ending the fighting in the region, the Taliban have demanded the Pakistani Army withdraw from Swat and insisted the government release all Taliban prisoners and the withdrawal of any criminal cases, and implement sharia, or Islamic law, the Pak Tribune reported (http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?211637).

The Taliban has issued similar demands during past peace agreements in North and South Waziristan, Swat, Mohmand, and Arakazi. The government complied by releasing prisoners, dropping criminal charges, and pulling out the military. But in each case the Taliban failed to lay down their weapons.

Rest in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/swat_taliban_demand.php

[geauxtohell]

Pakistan can remain a sovereign nation, so long as She cooperates.

However, the minute She decides to throw in with the Taliban, she looses her right to remain sovereign.

Invading Pakistan is the worst ****ing idea I've heard in a long time, and I don't care who says it (be it Obama or some other).

Not only would it be costly to us, it would further destablize a nuclear power and permanently isolate Pakistan from any future attempts to prevent a regional nuclear war with India.

All this "smoke them out where ever they are" talk about the terrorists needs to be tempered with a degree of pragmatism.

BTW, Pakistan threw in with the Taliban in the mid-90's and they never servered their ties, despite what you hear on the news.

[geauxtohell]

Except now Pakistan is only a partially sovereign nation. It no longer exercises even a faux impression of sovereignty over large swaths of its territory.

Well, at least they are being honest.

If you've ever been in that part of the world, you can easily see why it's damn near impossible to police that area.

If you haven't, pull up google earth and look at the terrain. It's miserable.

[Loyal American]

Now we get to see just how perceptive of world events Obama and crew really are, or aren't.

Any intelligence analyst with half a brain cell knows that the Al Queda has shifted its primary target in Southwest Asia from recapturing Afganistan to overrunning Pakistan. Mullah Omar is no longer the key Taliban leader. His Afgan Taliban group is now second priority. Al Queda is exploiting the modern nation state weakness of paying more attention to artificial lines on maps than to reality on the ground. As cool and bothersome as Predator Missile strikes are in the tribal region, the reality is that Al Queda once again has a safe haven. Their raids into Afganistan, which will continue, have been nothing but a diversion. Al Queda and the Pakistani Taliban are focused on taking control of Pakistan and its nuclear weapons. Pakistan's army is incompetent, with its best units sitting on the Pakistan-India border. Why fight the Afgan + US Army when you can take on just the incompetently led and trained Pakistani Army (which is riddled with AQ and Taliban Sympathizers).

E7ALR, I thought of the above highlighted when I read the below tonight, interesting how these tribal groups have been fighting each other for like forever are suddenly pulling together for, lets say a greater cause!!! :evil:

Aside from tribal rivalries and disputes over land, the two sides disagreed over the issue of fighting the Pakistani state. Baitullah aims to conquer territory by fighting the military, while Nazir and Bahadar want to focus efforts across the border in Afghanistan. This led some analysts to improperly label the two "pro-government Taliban (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/12/progovernment_taliba.php)."

The new alliance will strengthen the Taliban throughout the tribal areas. The differences prevented the groups from pooling their forces to battle Pakistani government forces during past engagements in the Waziristan region.

Full entry [here] (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/north_and_south_wazi.php)

The plot thickens, togetherness rules!!!

[E7ALR]

E7ALR, I thought of the above highlighted when I read the below tonight, interesting how these tribal groups have been fighting each other for like forever are suddenly pulling together for, lets say a greater cause!!! :evil:



Full entry [here] (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/north_and_south_wazi.php)

The plot thickens, togetherness rules!!!To the victor go the spoils. One potential leader decided to focus on the Pakistani Army, knowing that the political situation is and has been keeping US forces mostly outside Pakistan. The other two had their blood up to go intao Afganistan and confront US forces. The wise leader chose the weaker opponent, the foolish leaders chose the impossible foe. Thwe wise leader humiliates Pakistani Army Brigades and gathers fame and influence, the foolish leaders throw away battalions against mere platoons of Americans in futile gestures. he wise commander takes and holds terrritiory and forces the Pakistani governent to bow and negotiate, the foolish leaders run before the American forces.

The situation and success in Pakistan is simply elevating the wise leader and lowering the foolish ones.

[ufo3]

:rolleyes:
To negotiate of course.

[E7ALR]

:rolleyes:
To negotiate of course.
when one chooses to negotiate it "should" be from strength, when one is forced to negotiate it is always from weakness.

[Loyal American]

To the victor go the spoils. One potential leader decided to focus on the Pakistani Army, knowing that the political situation is and has been keeping US forces mostly outside Pakistan. The other two had their blood up to go intao Afganistan and confront US forces. The wise leader chose the weaker opponent, the foolish leaders chose the impossible foe. Thwe wise leader humiliates Pakistani Army Brigades and gathers fame and influence, the foolish leaders throw away battalions against mere platoons of Americans in futile gestures. he wise commander takes and holds terrritiory and forces the Pakistani governent to bow and negotiate, the foolish leaders run before the American forces.

The situation and success in Pakistan is simply elevating the wise leader and lowering the foolish ones.
All true, indeed! However it sounds like the foolish are beginning to fall in fold, success in numbers I quess! I think the example has been set and P-stan is in for some bad days! Which will bring difficult times for all surrounding countries! It's a dark situation that has me very concerned! Somebody needs to get a hold on all this before it snowballs!

[Loyal American]

FYI, Update:


Waziristan Taliban alliance declares support for Osama bin Laden and Mullah Omar

By Bill Roggio
February 23, 2009 9:47 AM

The three senior-most Taliban leaders in North and South Waziristan have joined forces to wage jihad against Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the US at the behest of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and Taliban leader Mullah Omar. The new Taliban alliance said it openly supports Omar and bin Laden in its war against the US, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

North Waziristan Taliban leader Hafiz Gul Bahadar and South Waziristan leaders Mullah Nazir and Baitullah Mehsud put aside differences last week and created (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/north_and_south_wazi.php) the Council of United Mujahideen. Previously, Nazir and Bahadar had feuded with Baitullah due to tribal disputes as well as Baitullah’s rising power as the senior leader of the Pakistani Taliban.

The three leaders have had pamphlets distributed (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\02\23\story_23-2-2009_pg7_4) throughout North and South Waziristan to announce the formation of the Council of United Mujahideen. The Taliban leaders have “united according to the wishes of Mujahideen leaders like Mullah Muhammad Omar and Sheikh Osama bin Laden,” The Nation reported (http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/23-Feb-2009/Taliban-rename-their-group).

Rest in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/waziristan_taliban_a.php

Like watching a horror movie!!!

[free2B]

FYI, Update:


Waziristan Taliban alliance declares support for Osama bin Laden and Mullah Omar

By Bill Roggio
February 23, 2009 9:47 AM

The three senior-most Taliban leaders in North and South Waziristan have joined forces to wage jihad against Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the US at the behest of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and Taliban leader Mullah Omar. The new Taliban alliance said it openly supports Omar and bin Laden in its war against the US, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

North Waziristan Taliban leader Hafiz Gul Bahadar and South Waziristan leaders Mullah Nazir and Baitullah Mehsud put aside differences last week and created (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/north_and_south_wazi.php) the Council of United Mujahideen. Previously, Nazir and Bahadar had feuded with Baitullah due to tribal disputes as well as Baitullah’s rising power as the senior leader of the Pakistani Taliban.

The three leaders have had pamphlets distributed (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\02\23\story_23-2-2009_pg7_4) throughout North and South Waziristan to announce the formation of the Council of United Mujahideen. The Taliban leaders have “united according to the wishes of Mujahideen leaders like Mullah Muhammad Omar and Sheikh Osama bin Laden,” The Nation reported (http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/23-Feb-2009/Taliban-rename-their-group).

Rest in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/waziristan_taliban_a.php

Like watching a horror movie!!!

a horrow movie where the monsters lose how can anybody support sharia law in the 21st century?

[Loyal American]

a horrow movie where the monsters lose how can anybody support sharia law in the 21st century?There are many who have never known anything else, stuck in the 7th century, Mo taught them well and gave them no way to re-write the text they live by. They just don't know what it is to live in freedom, peace and women have no idea what it would be like to live without fear and to have a right to an education. I have fears for P-stan and the entire region if someone doesn't get a grip on this situation very soon.

[E7ALR]

FYI, Update:


Waziristan Taliban alliance declares support for Osama bin Laden and Mullah Omar

By Bill Roggio
February 23, 2009 9:47 AM

The three senior-most Taliban leaders in North and South Waziristan have joined forces to wage jihad against Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the US at the behest of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and Taliban leader Mullah Omar. The new Taliban alliance said it openly supports Omar and bin Laden in its war against the US, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

North Waziristan Taliban leader Hafiz Gul Bahadar and South Waziristan leaders Mullah Nazir and Baitullah Mehsud put aside differences last week and created (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/north_and_south_wazi.php) the Council of United Mujahideen. Previously, Nazir and Bahadar had feuded with Baitullah due to tribal disputes as well as Baitullah’s rising power as the senior leader of the Pakistani Taliban.

The three leaders have had pamphlets distributed (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\02\23\story_23-2-2009_pg7_4) throughout North and South Waziristan to announce the formation of the Council of United Mujahideen. The Taliban leaders have “united according to the wishes of Mujahideen leaders like Mullah Muhammad Omar and Sheikh Osama bin Laden,” The Nation reported (http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/23-Feb-2009/Taliban-rename-their-group).

Rest in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/waziristan_taliban_a.php

Like watching a horror movie!!!I think it has been about 10 days since the stupid deal by Pakistan to give away Swat to these fanatics. And instead of peace, the fanatics announce to the world that they are still at "war" with Pakistan (and Afganistan and the US) and are proud supporters and allies of Bin Laden. Now they will move to force Pakistani Forces out of the Southern Tribal regions, then they will mass and attempt to take the rest of the country.

The Pakistani Govenment surrendered, when they should have brought the full weight of their Army against these tribes. This is just more proof why one shouldn't show weakness to thugs.

[Loyal American]

I think it has been about 10 days since the stupid deal by Pakistan to give away Swat to these fanatics. And instead of peace, the fanatics announce to the world that they are still at "war" with Pakistan (and Afganistan and the US) and are proud supporters and allies of Bin Laden. Now they will move to force Pakistani Forces out of the Southern Tribal regions, then they will mass and attempt to take the rest of the country.

The Pakistani Govenment surrendered, when they should have brought the full weight of their Army against these tribes. This is just more proof why one shouldn't show weakness to thugs.

It's already happening, they have a massive plan and it's ugly!!!


Taliban waging 'jihad to purge Pakistan' - Zawahiri

By Bill Roggio
February 24, 2009 3:41 PM

As the Pakistani Taliban merge forces and strike peace deals with the government, al Qaeda's second in command said that the Taliban is waging war against the Pakistani state.

In a videotape released on the internet on Feb. 23, Ayman al Zawahiri said that the Pakistani Taliban is fighting the Pakistani government just as the Afghan Taliban has fought the Afghan government and NATO forces.

"Your brothers in the Taliban are not fighting to liberate Afghanistan only, but also the Taliban in Pakistan are carrying out jihad to purge Pakistan from the United States and its agents in the Pakistani Government and army," Zawahiri said.

Zawahiri's video appeared on the internet just days after the three major Taliban factions in North and South Waziristan put aside their differences and formed the Council of United Mujahideen.

Baitullah Mehsud, Mullah Nazir, and Hafiz Gul Bahadar created the umbrella group at the behest of Osama bin Laden and Taliban leader Mullah Omar (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/waziristan_taliban_a.php). They promised to fight against "infidels" in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the US.

There is more in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/taliban_waging_jihad.php

[Loyal American]

Interesting development today:


US airstrike kills eight in South Waziristan

By Bill Roggio
March 1, 2009 7:58 AM

The Predator airstrike targeted a Taliban compound in the Sararogha region, a stronghold of Baitullah Mehsud.

Unmanned US Predator attack aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles at a Taliban compound in South Waziristan today. Eight people have been reported killed in today’s airstrike, but no senior Taliban or al Qaeda leaders have been reported killed at this time.

The strike was carried out in the Sararogha region, Geo News reported (http://www.geo.tv/3-1-2009/36276.htm). Sararogha is located in the tribal areas controlled by Pakistan leader Baitullah Mehsud. The Tehrik-e-Taliban, or the Movement of the Taliban, is an amalgam of Taliban groups in the districts of the Northwest Frontier Province and the agencies of the tribal areas.

Rest in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/03/us_airstrike_kills_e.php

[free2B]

the thugs who control through fear and deception will be cast into the slime pit of history as the most heinous and criminal of the foul deceivers who deal death to the innocent without fear or thought or care

[Loyal American]

Time for an update:

Pakistan proposes integration of Taliban into security forces

By Bill Roggio
March 14, 2009 10:58 PM

A senior official in Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province wants the Taliban to integrate into the security forces in the region where the governemnt ceded to the Taliban's demands to implement sharia, or Islamic Law, and end military operations. The official also described the Swat Taliban leader as "good human being."

Syed Muhammad Javed, the Malakand Division Commissioner, has proposed the Taliban provide recruits for the police and the paramilitary Levies force. The Malakand Division is made up of the districts of Malakand, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Dir, and Chitral.

"I have proposed the Taliban be adjusted in police or Levies force and have suggested this at several forums," Javed told Daily Times (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\03\14\story_14-3-2009_pg1_15). He claimed the police force's "confidence is shaken" due to a Taliban campaign of assassination and intimidation.

The police have been hit so hard that the force has been rendered ineffective. The governemnt claimed 70 policemen, an estimated five percent of the force, have been killed since the fighting in Swat broke out in July 2007. More than 800 policemen, more than half of the force, have deserted their posts or taken extended leaves to avoid the Taliban attacks. Another 142 troops from the paramilitary Frontier Corps have been reported killed since August 2008.

But Pakistan's history of appropriately spending US aid money is appalling. More than $3.8 billion of an estimated $5 billion of military aid given to Pakistan up until December 2007 is unaccounted for (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/24/world/asia/24military.html?_r=1), and it has been reported that millions of dollars in US aid has gone to pay reparations to the Taliban (http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=3.0.3045993078) in Swat.

Full entry in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/03/pakistan_proposes_in.php

Unbelievable!!!

[Loyal American]

Very interesting updates:

US places bounty on senior Taliban and al Qaeda leaders

By Bill Roggio
March 25, 2009 6:53 PM

The US Department of State has issued multi-million dollar rewards for two senior Taliban leaders and an al Qaeda leader and propagandist.

Up to $5 million dollars has been offered "for information leading to the location and/or capture" of Pakistani Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/03/120863.htm) or Taliban and al Qaeda ally Sirajuddin Haqqani (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/03/120864.htm). A $1 million bounty has been offered for information leading to the capture or conviction of al Qaeda propagandist and ideologue Abu Yahya al Libi (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/03/120862.htm).

Baitullah Mehsud, Pakistan's most powerful Taliban commander

Baitullah Mehsud is the leader of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, the unified command of scores of local Taliban fighters throughout the Northwest Frontier Province and the tribal areas abutting Afghanistan. He has also joined hand (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/north_and_south_wazi.php)s with North Waziristan Taliban leader Hafiz Gul Bahadar and South Waziristan leaders Mullah Nazir and formed the Council of United Mujahideen. The group has pledged its support (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/waziristan_taliban_a.php) to al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and overall Taliban commander Mullah Omar, and has vowed to battle the Pakistan, US, and Indian governments.

Rest in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/03/us_places_bounty_on.php


AND THIS:

US airstrike kills 8 in Baitullah Mehsud's hometown
By Bill Roggio
March 25, 2009 3:56 PM

US Predators killed eight terrorists, including "foreigners," in an attack on a Taliban convoy in South Waziristan.

The attack took place in Makeen, the hometown of Baitullah Mehsud, the leader of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan.

"Two missiles struck two vehicles carrying militants and from information we have received, some guests were among the dead," a Pakistani intelligence official told Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE52O3KJ20090325), who did not specify the identity or the nationality of those killed. Geo News reported (http://www.geo.tv/3-26-2009/38222.htm) eight were killed, including "foreigners," a term commonly used to describe al Qaeda operatives.

Rest in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/03/us_airstike_kills_8.php

[Loyal American]

Wonder who's given the green light on this rather heated up situation! :think: This is the second air strike in 24 hours! Do you think these strikes are coming with P-stans blessings?


Latest US strike targets al Qaeda safehouse in North Waziristan

By Bill Roggio
March 26, 2009 8:50 AM

The US conducted another airstrike in Pakistan's tribal areas. The latest attack took place in a region of North Waziristan known to harbor a senior al Qaeda operative.

Five people were reported killed and four more were wounded after a Predator launched one or more Hellfire missiles into a Taliban compound in North Waziristan. The target of the attack was a compund run by Malik Gulab Khan in the Sokhel region just outside of Mir Ali, Geo News reported (http://www.geo.tv/3-26-2009/38239.htm).

REST in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/03/second_us_strike_tar.php

[opsyscw]

Quick, we need a Politically Correct name for these airstrikes. And that name "Preditor" is just too harsh. Any suggestions from the tin foil hats?

[Loyal American]

Quick, we need a Politically Correct name for these airstrikes. And that name "Preditor" is just too harsh. Any suggestions from the tin foil hats?
Sure the admin is working on it, we have to be NICE you know!

President Unveils Afghan-Pakistan Strategy Review

WASHINGTON, March 27, 2009 – President Barack Obama unveiled the Afghanistan-Pakistan policy review today, calling the situation in the region "increasingly perilous." The report, which Obama requested upon taking office in January, comprises input from U.S. military and diplomatic leaders, NATO and other allies, and nongovernment organizations, the president said during a news conference.

"It has been more than seven years since the Taliban was removed from power, yet war rages on, and insurgents control parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan," he said. "Attacks against our troops, our NATO allies, and the Afghan government have risen steadily. Most painfully, 2008 was the deadliest year of the war for American forces."

Obama spelled out the broad U.S. objectives: To disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al-Qaida in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future.

"That is the goal that must be achieved. That is a cause that could not be more just," he said. "And to the terrorists who oppose us, my message is the same: we will defeat you."

More to come

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=53677

Yup, I bet there is more to come!

[free2B]

Quick, we need a Politically Correct name for these airstrikes. And that name "Preditor" is just too harsh. Any suggestions from the tin foil hats?

um drone induced contingencies carried out by sparrows?

[Loyal American]

Just think about this entire thread, what P-stan is doing, inviting the Taliban to impliment their sick strick laws, asking them to sign up for P-stan security positions....on and on! AND just look at this which is unfolding as I type this:

Taliban suicide bomber kills 50, destroys mosque in Pakistan

By Bill Roggio
March 27, 2009 9:20 AM

A Taliban suicide bomber killed more than 50 worshipers and wounded more than 125 in an attack at a mosque in Pakistan's tribal areas along the border with Pakistan. The bombing is the second mass-casualty suicide attack in Pakistan's insurgency-infested northwest in two days.

The death toll is expected to rise, Tariq Hayat Khan, the Political Agent for Khyber said according to a report in The Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/70-feared-dead-in-attack-on-Pak-mosque/articleshow/4323772.cms). "Forty-five to 46 bodies have been retrieved ... up to 70 people could have been killed," Khan said.

The attack took place in the Jamrud district in Pakistan's Khyber agency. Khyber is the gateway to Afghanistan; NATO's main supply route for its forces in Afghanistan passes through the tribal agency.

More in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/03/taliban_suicide_bomb_9.php

What on earth is wrong with P-stan? Why aren't they standing up for themselves, why, do they think this will stop if they embrace the Taliban? It won't, the sick dirtbags want to take over P-stan, A-stan and the whole damn world. I hate this enemy!

[Crossriflesonblue]

Just think about this entire thread, what P-stan is doing, inviting the Taliban to impliment their sick strick laws, asking them to sign up for P-stan security positions....on and on! AND just look at this which is unfolding as I type this:

Taliban suicide bomber kills 50, destroys mosque in Pakistan

By Bill Roggio
March 27, 2009 9:20 AM

A Taliban suicide bomber killed more than 50 worshipers and wounded more than 125 in an attack at a mosque in Pakistan's tribal areas along the border with Pakistan. The bombing is the second mass-casualty suicide attack in Pakistan's insurgency-infested northwest in two days.

The death toll is expected to rise, Tariq Hayat Khan, the Political Agent for Khyber said according to a report in The Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/70-feared-dead-in-attack-on-Pak-mosque/articleshow/4323772.cms). "Forty-five to 46 bodies have been retrieved ... up to 70 people could have been killed," Khan said.

The attack took place in the Jamrud district in Pakistan's Khyber agency. Khyber is the gateway to Afghanistan; NATO's main supply route for its forces in Afghanistan passes through the tribal agency.

More in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/03/taliban_suicide_bomb_9.php

What on earth is wrong with P-stan? Why aren't they standing up for themselves, why, do they think this will stop if they embrace the Taliban? It won't, the sick dirtbags want to take over P-stan, A-stan and the whole damn world. I hate this enemy!

One thing to remember is that the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan are Socialists....So there will not only be a Nationalist resistance to American Policy but also the natural bias that is present when dealing with the Leader of the Capitalist world, the US....The US did not gain a friend in the new Government....

Another is the current President and Prime Minister are members of the PPP which has always had a Bhutto as a leader (the current President and husband of the late Benazir Bhutto) one of the the founders of the Taliban....The Taliban were once a creature and tool of the leaders of the PPP and the ISI.....

Any relationship that the US thinks it has with the new government of Pakistan should be viewed with much skepticism.....Also the current Pakistani Prime Minister and President are corrupt individuals who have in the past looted Pakistan's Treasury so don't think of the current leaders as some sort of principled opposition to Musharraf...
Pakistani politics is a Machiavellian hell....

[Loyal American]

One thing to remember is that the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan are Socialists....So there will not only be a Nationalist resistance to American Policy but also the natural bias that is present when dealing with the Leader of the Capitalist world, the US....The US did not gain a friend in the new Government....

Another is the current President and Prime Minister are members of the PPP which has always had a Bhutto as a leader (the current President and husband of the late Benazir Bhutto) one of the the founders of the Taliban....The Taliban were once a creature and tool of the leaders of the PPP and the ISI.....

Any relationship that the US thinks it has with the new government of Pakistan should be viewed with much skepticism.....Also the current Pakistani Prime Minister and President are corrupt individuals who have in the past looted Pakistan's Treasury so don't think of the current leaders as some sort of principled opposition to Musharraf...
Pakistani politics is a Machiavellian hell....I read this late last night and went to bed thinking about the points you've made! Naturally you are spot on, it's just really difficult for me to sit and watch this all this unfolding! I get on the edge of me chair, knee bouncing........you'd think I was ADHD but I am not! If I didn't believe our success in A-stan, in part, depends of what P-stan does I probably would relax!

[Loyal American]

UPDATE:

Pakistani Taliban threatens attack on White House

By ISHTIAQ MAHSUD, AP
19 minutes ago

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan — The commander of the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility Tuesday for a deadly assault on a Pakistani police academy and said the group was planning a terrorist attack on the White House that would "amaze" the world.

Baitullah Mehsud, who has a $5 million bounty on his head from the U.S., said Monday's attack on the outskirts of the eastern city of Lahore was retaliation for U.S. missile strikes against militants along the Afghan border.

"Soon we will launch an attack in Washington that will amaze everyone in the world," Mehsud told The Associated Press by phone. He provided no details.

Mehsud has never been directly linked to any attacks outside Pakistan, but attacks blamed on his network of fighters have widened in scope and ambition in recent years. The threat comes days after President Barack Obama warned that al-Qaida is actively planning attacks on the United States from secret havens in Pakistan.

Rest in link:

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-world/20090331/AS.Pakistan/

[Gengar]

Wonder how that "peace deal" is going in Pakistan... oh, no I don't.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6005384.ece

Are those examples of the "non-violent" Taliban?

[Loyal American]

snip:
Are those examples of the "non-violent" Taliban?
Absolutely, the very type hotdog Obama wants to reach out and touch with TLC!

[JaninGA]

Read the history about Lebanon-Christian country, and how the Muslim-Islamic Taliban have also infiltrated Pakistan. Pakistan -the peolpe are sheilding their real priority...to destroy Christian Nations in the name of Alah

[Loyal American]

No time to waste, another US air strike today....


US launches first strike in Arakzai tribal agency

By Bill Roggio
April 1, 2009 5:59 AM

The US air campaign continues to expand beyond the traditional hunting grounds of the Taliban-controlled tribal agencies of North and South Waziristan and Bajaur. The US conducted its first Predator strike in the Arakzai tribal agency today, killing twelve and wounding 12 more.

The attack took place in the town of Khadzai, a region ran by Hakeemullah Mehsud, a senior lieutenant to Pakistani Taliban chieftain Baitullah Mehsud. A Predator launched at least one missile at one of Hakeemullah's compounds.

Twelve Taliban fighters have been reported killed and twelve more were wounded, Geo News reported (http://www.geo.tv/4-1-2009/38792.htm). It is not known if any senior Taliban or al Qaeda leaders have been killed. Hakeemullah is not believed to have been killed in the attack.

Rest in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/us_launches_first_st.php

[The Bos'un]

The fight only involves a very low percentage of Islamists who embrace radicalized teachings of Muhammad. Many Muhammadans are either secular or moderate and of no danger to the western world.

America must continue to offer a blank check to its friends in the region..... Sounds like America's strategy for Cuba before the benevolent Presidente Castro liberated the Cuban people for the jaws of capitalism. :eek:

[Loyal American]

I am beginning to feel sorry for P-stan and their sheer stupidity! You do business with the devil and there is always going to be lots of hell to pay. As predicted, the Taliban is feeling it's successful cherrios and are advancing to bring sharia to the district of Buner! :evil:

Taliban advance on Buner

By Bill Roggio
April 7, 2009 7:39 PM

Flush with success in forcing the Pakistani government to implement sharia, or Islamic law, in a large region in Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province, the Taliban now seek to coerce the tribes in a small nearby district into implementing sharia there as well.

On Sunday, a Taliban force of 100 advanced (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\04\07\story_7-4-2009_pg7_28) into the district of Buner from the neighboring district of Swat and demanded to speak to tribal elders about enforcing sharia. "The Taliban said they would stay in Buner until their chief had had talks with the local chapter of the Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammed [TNSM or the Movement for the Enforcement of Mohammed's Law]," Daily Times reported (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\04\06\story_6-4-2009_pg1_12).

More in link: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/taliban_advance_on_b.php

[Loyal American]

I don't even know what to say! This just gets worse by the day! This is scary folks, just damn scary! P-stan is goin' down the tubes and it's gonna happen very quickly!

Pakistan signs sharia bill into law

By Bill Roggio
April 13, 2009 4:31 PM

The Pakistani government has approved the controversial bill that will allow for the implementation of sharia, or Islamic law, into a large region of northwestern Pakistan.

President Asif Ali Zardari signed the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation into law (http://www.geo.tv/4-13-2009/39783.htm) today after a majority of the Pakistani Parliament passed the bill (http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/national+assembly+passes+nizam-e-adl). The regulation allows for the establishment of sharia courts in the Malakand Division, an administrative region that encompasses more than one-third of the Northwest Frontier Province and includes the districts of Malakand, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Dir, Chitral, and Kohistan.

The sharia law was referred to the Pakistani government after the government negotiated an agreement known as the Malakand Accord with the Taliban in Swat. The agreement calls for the withdrawal of the Pakistani Army from Swat, the release all Taliban prisoners, the withdrawal of any criminal cases against Taliban leaders and fighters, and the imposition of sharia. The government agreed to the terms of the Malakand Accord after the military suffered its third defeat against the Swat Taliban in two years.

The Taliban had threatened to renew the violence in Swat if the sharia law was not signed by President Zardari. Amir Izzat, a spokesman for the pro-Taliban Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammed [TNSM or the Movement for the Enforcement of Mohammed's Law] threatened (http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/nwfp/tnsm-warns-lawmakers-not-to-oppose-nizam-i-adl--za) to declare any member of parliament as a non-Muslim if they voted against the law. Sufi Mohammed, the leader of the TNSM, which serves as a front for the Taliban (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/analysis_pakistani_t.php) in northwestern Pakistan, walked out on the peace agreement (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/swat_peace_agreement.php) after bashing Zardari for not signing the sharia regulation into law.

President Zardari had said he refused to sign the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation into law until the security in Swat was restored. As recently as April 9, Husain Haqqani, Pakistan's Ambassador to the US, said President Zardari would not sign the regulation into law.

"The president of Pakistan has not signed the agreement and not approved the agreement yet because he’s waiting for the TNSM to fulfill its end of the bargain, which was, essentially, to make sure that the Taliban — whose leader happens to be his son-in-law — they do not continue to use force," Haqqani told a forum in Washington, according to The Washington Independent (http://washingtonindependent.com/38244/pakistani-ambassador-the-swat-valley-will-be-cleared-of-extremists). "Since that has not happened, the agreement has not been enforced."

But the Taliban have repeatedly violated the ceasefire in Swat. Taliban forces have attacked military convoys and captured soldiers and government officials. Most recently, on April 11, a Taliban force wounded three security personnel after ambushing a convoy (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\04\12\story_12-4-2009_pg7_24) in Swat. Meanwhile, the Swat Taliban have advanced on neighboring Buner and are now in full control of the district, which is just 60 miles from the capital of Islamabad.

The Malakand Accord and the subsequent signing of the sharia law have emboldened the Taliban and the multitude of Islamist groups in Pakistan. Islamist political parties are now calling for the imposition of sharia throughout the country.

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/pakistan_signs_shari.php

[Loyal American]

UPDATE (1of3)
I just can't even believe P=stan let this guy go! We can plan on hearing lots more about him as the days unfold!

Maulana Aziz returns to Islamabad, in triumph

By Bill Roggio
April 16, 2009 1:26 PM

The leader of the July 2007 insurrection in Islamabad has been released from custody and will preach at the very mosque where he and his followers staged their battle against the Pakistani government.

Maulana Abdullah Aziz, the former leader of the Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque, was freed by the Pakistani Supreme Court on $2,500 bail (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/pakistan_releases_re.php) yesterday after spending less than two years under house arrest. Aziz was greeted by throngs of students from the Lal Masjid and other supporters as he was released from jail.

According to the current leader of the Lal Masjid, Aziz will deliver the sermon this Friday, just one day after his release, The News reported (http://www.thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=74956).

Aziz’s release from prison and the planned sermon at the Lal Masjid constitute the third major victory for the Taliban this week.
Just days earlier, the Pakistani government approved the enforcement of sharia, or Islamic Law, in the vast Malakand Division, an area that encompasses more than one-third of the Northwest Frontier Province. Within the same time period, the Taliban marched into Buner unopposed and took over the district, which is just 60 miles from Islamabad. The Taliban followed their victory in Buner with a brazen armed road march through several districts that have yet to fall under Taliban control.

More in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/maulana_aziz_returns.php

[Loyal American]

UPDATE (2of3)
AND here is the scoop on the Terrorist rally and Zardari signed the Sharia law bill! :evil:

Terrorists rally in Swat, march through region

By Bill Roggio
April 14, 2009 2:13 PM

The Pakistani government's peace agreement with the Swat Taliban and the subsequent approval of the sharia regulation have bolstered Islamist terrorists in northwestern Pakistan and created a new safe haven for al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.

The peace agreement, known as the Malakand Accord, was implemented in the Malakand Division in mid-February. It has provided a victory for the Taliban. The agreement calls for the withdrawal of the Pakistani Army from Swat, the release all Taliban prisoners, the withdrawal of any criminal cases against Taliban leaders and fighters, and the imposition of sharia. The Malakand Division is an administrative region that encompasses more than one-third of the Northwest Frontier Province and includes the districts of Malakand, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Dir, Chitral, and Kohistan.

President Asif Ali Zardari, the leader of the secular Pakistani Peoples Party, signed the sharia bill into law (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/pakistan_signs_shari.php) yesterday following the military's failure to restore the government’s writ in Swat after three attempts since 2007. Zardari previously had said he would not sign the bill until peace was restored to Swat, but he relented in the face of political pressure, Taliban threats, and a lightning Taliban advance into Buner.

Rest in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/terrorists_rally_in_swat_march_through_region.php

[Loyal American]

UPDATE (3of3)

Major attacks against Pakistani security forces

By Bill Roggio
April 15, 2009 2:23 PM

Today's suicide car bombing (http://www.geo.tv/4-15-2009/39916.htm) against a police checkpoint in the district of Charsadda in Pakistan's insurgency-infested Northwest Frontier Province is the latest attack by the Taliban, al Qaeda, and allied jihadi groups directed against Pakistan's security forces. Ten policemen were among the 16 Pakistanis killed in the attack. There have been 56 major attacks against the police, the Army, the Frontier Corps, and other Pakistani security and intelligence services since July 2007 when the Musharraf government launched the operation to clear out the radical Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque, in the heart of the capital of Islamabad.

These attacks include suicide strikes and military assaults against checkpoints, training centers, forts, and bases; ambushes against convoys; beheadings and executions of captured security personnel; and targeted assassinations against military leaders. No region of Pakistan has been spared. These attacks have taken place in Pakistan's major cities, including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, as well as in the rural areas and Pakistan's lawless tribal areas. There also have been hundreds of smaller attacks in Pakistan that occur on a daily basis.

List of attacks in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/major_attacks_on_mil.php

[crux]

March of the Taliban...
...on Pakistan

50km from Islamabad
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=36855&sectionid=4&issueid=101&Itemid=1

The Taliban are fast gaining on Pakistan's federal capital Islamabad. Reports on Tuesday said the Islamic militia is now marching towards Haripur, a district 50 km from Islamabad and the lone remaining buffer territory.


With Swat and the North West Frontier Province firmly in their grip, the Taliban has already overrun Buner district before their advance to Haripur. Besides the Taliban are gaining in newer areas.


Same story

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009/04/15/story_15-4-2009_pg1_11

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/columnists/kamran-shafi-march-of-the-taliban

ON Saturday, March 11, a convoy of 10 double-cabin four-wheel drive pick-up trucks loaded with Taliban armed with every description of portable weapons – Kalashnikovs, rocket launchers, heavy machine guns – drove from Daggar the headquarters of Buner district to the villages of Sohawa and Dagai in Buner.


It entered Swabi district at Jhanda village, drove through the district headquarter (the town of Swabi), drove on to the motorway, exited at Mardan, drove through the cantonment of Mardan and, showing their weapons for all to see, went on towards Malakand.



In doing the above, the Taliban broke many laws of the state of Pakistan not least those that prohibit the possession of heavy weapons; showing weapons publicly and so on.


They drove through a district HQ of a district they have not yet occupied (but are well on the way sooner rather than later, given the non-governance being exhibited by the ANP non-government of the Frontier); on the federally policed motorway; through an army cantonment – as a matter of fact right past the Punjab Regimental Centre’s shopping plaza containing the usual bakery and pastry-shop run by serving soldiers – and thence through the rest of the crowded city of Mardan which is also the home of the chief minister of the province.



While the fight may be on with the Taliban in Afghanistan and bordering tribal area with limited reach into Pakistan ...the rest of the Taliban are moving further east and coming out of the mountains. Into the heart of Pakistan's cities where they seem to have no fear of any local Pakistani authority

They have a good shot at taking over Pakistan or at the very least destabilize it a large share more than it already is. A country that has nukes and neighbors that don't really like each other

A Taliban coup of Pakistan is now in the possible range. The odds of an ISI coup of the Pakistan gov't with Taliban muscle and propoganda support is even more likely. Just listen to guys like Hamid Gul , ex ISI
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamid_Gul

They are actually coming in convoys and taking over swaths of territory in Pakistan with impunity

The fight in Afghanistan crosses into Pakistan proper, no matter which way it's looked at. Eastern Afghanistan will always be under the sway of the events in Pakistan.

If we are going to fight in Eastern Afghanistan than there has to be a clear policy on Pakistan. The place is falling apart. You have a global recession, a pretty **** poor place become even more poor, Taliban just filling the vacuum the Pakistani army /police/whatever can't fill in their own territory

And then you have India who seemed to have had about enough of this creeping into THEIR country.

I am very concerned about it

Just think next year we could be negotiating with people like Mullah Omar, Baitullah Mehsud or Hamid Gul saying things like we are so sorry we were heavy handed :)

[Loyal American]

SNIP:

I (http://I) am very concerned about it

Just think next year we could be negotiating with people like Mullah Omar, Baitullah Mehsud or Hamid Gul saying things like we are so sorry we were heavy handed :)

Thanks for the post Crux, sometimes I think I am the only one watchin' this! It's all happening so fast, only proves one should never trust or make deals with the Taliban! Check out the map LWJ has inside the link, they are going to have control of Mardan real soon! Their realizing so much success there will be no stopping them. They do the most disgusting and awful things to their own people! I really feel for the P-stan people, God help them! AND these are the same people who boost about wanting to enforce Sharia law world wide! If this keeps up which I believe it certainly will, how they going to keep the nukes out of the hands of these SOB's?

Taliban moving on Mardan

By Bill Roggio
April 17, 2009 1:46 AM

The Taliban continue their advance in northwestern Pakistan. The district of Mardan in the Northwest Frontier Province may be the next region to fall to the Taliban as the terror group has stepped up its attacks in the area.

The Taliban murdered two women (http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/nwfp/two-women-killed-in-mardan--bi) in Mardan yesterday, signaling the district is marked for takeover. A female aid worker for the non-governmental organization National Rural Support Program was killed in a bombing at her office. A local Taliban commander named Habibur Rehman claimed credit for the attack. "He accused NGOs of propagating obscenity and vulgarity and threatened further attacks," Dawn reported. The Taliban also gunned down a female councilor for a local union.

The murders were the latest in a series of attacks in Mardan that signal the Taliban is setting its sights on the district.

Since early March, the Taliban have bombed (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\03\23\story_23-3-2009_pg1_10)two (http://www.geo.tv/3-24-2009/38065.htm) girls' schools, dozens (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\03\06\story_6-3-2009_pg7_4) of CD and video (http://www.dawn.com/2007/03/19/top10.htm) shops, and an electrical town (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\04\03\story_3-4-2009_pg7_20). The Taliban have forced the closure (http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=167935) of more than a hundred CD shops after issuing threatening night letters and ordered barbers to stop shaving (http://paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?172860) men's beards. The Taliban conducts attacks like these to intimidate the local population while setting the precedent for the establishment and enforcement of its brutal version of sharia, or Islamic law.

Attacks such as these preceded the Taliban takeover of Tank, Bannu, Hangu, Lakki Marwat, Swat, Shangla, Arakzai, and Bajaur.
Mardan was also one of the districts chosen by the Swat Taliban to parade through after its near-effortless takeover of Buner, a district just 60 miles from the capital of Islamabad. Earlier this week, a Taliban convoy of 10 trucks filled with fighters brandishing heavy weapons drove from Buner, through the district center in Swabi, and through Mardan before passing into Malakand, Dawn reported.

The Taliban convoy was untouched by Pakistani security forces. "They drove through a district HQ of a district they have not yet occupied ... on the federally policed motorway; through an army cantonment – as a matter of fact right past the Punjab Regimental Centre’s shopping plaza containing the usual bakery and pastry-shop run by serving soldiers – and thence through the rest of the crowded city of Mardan which is also the home of the chief minister of the province," Dawn reported.

More in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/taliban_moving_on_ma.php

[Loyal American]

Told you so, two freaking days and Aziz is on a roll, big time roll:

Red Mosque leader preaches jihad after release

By Bill Roggio
April 17, 2009 4:57 PM

Maulana Abdullah Aziz, the leader of the insurrection in Islamabad in 2007 who was released from prison two days ago, called for jihad and the nationwide implementation of sharia, or Islamic Law, during his first sermon at the Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque.

"I tell you that you should be ready to make sacrifices for Islam," Aziz told thousands of followers (http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/maulana+abdul+aziz+back+preaching+at+red+mosque-rs) during his first sermon the Red Mosque, where he led the effort to impose sharia in 2007. "The day is not far away when Islam will be enforced in the whole of the country."

Aziz fomented the 2007 uprising in Islamabad that led to the establishment of sharia in Swat and the Malakand Division and the rise of the Taliban in Pakistan’s tribal areas.

"What we have seen in Swat and the tribal areas is the result of the sacrifices at the Red Mosque: the students, the people who were martyred," Aziz said.

He also called for his followers to sacrifice themselves for the cause. "My only son was killed for this great mission of Islam," Aziz said (http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/17/pakistan.cleric/index.html). "If I had 100 sons, I would ask them to die for Islam."

Aziz and his brother Ghazi Abdul Rasheed attempted to impose sharia in Islamabad during the spring and summer of 2007. Their followers enforced a harsh Taliban-like brand of Islamic law just one mile from the parliament. Known as the Lal Masjid Brigade, the radical students and followers occupied buildings, beat Pakistanis that violated their strict code, and kidnapped policemen and civilians.

More in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/red_mosque_leader_pr.php

[crux]

He also called for his followers to sacrifice themselves for the cause. "My only son was killed for this great mission of Islam," Aziz said (http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/17/pakistan.cleric/index.html). "If I had 100 sons, I would ask them to die for Islam."

Aziz and his brother Ghazi Abdul Rasheed attempted to impose sharia in Islamabad during the spring and summer of 2007. Their followers enforced a harsh Taliban-like brand of Islamic law just one mile from the parliament. Known as the Lal Masjid Brigade, the radical students and followers occupied buildings, beat Pakistanis that violated their strict code, and kidnapped policemen and civilians.
Two days free and he's back trying to topple Pakistan. This guy is the radical jihadi everyone worries about when they talk about taking over their nuclear arsenal.

Perv threw him in jail after a hostage situation in 2007 they caught him sneaking out of a mosque he was holed up in wearing burka after trying to escape.

Brave Lion of Islam TM :)

I am no fan of Musharraf but he wouldn't have let him out.

Pull up a seat and watch a shaky state to begin with deteriorate in front of your eyes

[Loyal American]

Pull up a seat and watch a shaky state to begin with deteriorate in front of your eyes
Latest messed-up up-date! Somebody needs to sloooow this down, quickly!


Taliban flex muscles in Malakand Division

By Bill Roggio
April 22, 2009 12:20 AM

But the Taliban have violated the peace agreement multiple times since the initial ceasefire was instituted in mid-February, and have continued to do so since Zardari signed the sharia legislation into law. And the Taliban are forcefully expanding their influence (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\04\22\story_22-4-2009_pg1_6) in neighboring regions.

The Taliban have reestablished checkpoints in Swat and have started to conduct patrols. Yesterday, the Taliban kidnapped six soldiers and a driver in Swat. Today four civilians were kidnapped while four of the captured soldiers were placed in front of the hastily established sharia courts.

In the neighboring district of Buner, a region the Taliban overran (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/taliban_move_on_bune.php) in just eight short days with minimal resistance, the Taliban are sending in more troops. The Taliban are also patrolling and manning checkpoints in Buner, while its followers are preaching in mosques and openly recruiting young men to fight.

In Shangla, more than 70 Taliban fighters occupied a hospital while others fanned out and took over control of government buildings. In Swat, Buner, and Shangla, the local administration and the police did not protest the Taliban moves.

The Taliban are also signaling their intent to moving into the districts of Swabi, Malakand, and Mardan. Last week, the Taliban conducted a victory road march (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/taliban_moving_on_ma.php) through the three districts after conquering Buner. The Taliban have now begun to establish armed checkpoints in Swat and Buner along the roads that border Swabi, Malakand, and Mardan.

Full entry in link:
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/taliban_flex_muscles.php

Talban took full control of Burner last week, and that really only leaves two government controlled districts between Taliban contested/influenced districts and the capital. They are wacking away at the contested/influenced districts, clocks ticking!

CLICK on Map:

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/NWFP_redmap_04142008-thumb.jpg (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/NWFP_redmap_04142008.jpg)

[Loyal American]

Today's update and it ain't good folks!!! :wall:

Taliban advance eastward, threaten Islamabad

By Bill Roggio
April 23, 2009 11:45 AM

The Taliban are pushing past the districts of Swat and Buner and are threatening Islamabad, a senior Islamist member of parliament said at a briefing.

The Taliban have consolidated control over the district of Buner (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/taliban_move_on_bune.php) and are moving on Mansehre and Haripur. These two regions, which are just on the outskirts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, have been relatively spared from the violent Taliban insurgency that has plagued the Northwest.

The Taliban have entered the district of Mansehre and are threatening to take of the Tarbela Dam in neighboring Haripur district, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl, an Islamist political party said during a debate in parliament.

"If the Taliban continue to move at this pace, they will soon be knocking at the doors of Islamabad as the Margala Hills seem to be the only hurdle in their march towards the federal capital," Fazl said, according to a report in The News (http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=21689). "After occupying Buner, they have reached Kala Dhaka and may also be taking over the water reservoir of the Tarbela Dam."

Pakistan has reportedly rushed paramilitary forces into Buner today, but some units were attacked by the Taliban stationed there. Six platoons of Frontier Constabulary forces were sent into Buner to secure government buildings. One policeman was reported killed after the Taliban ambushed a convoy, The Associated Press reported (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090423/ap_on_re_as/as_pakistan). The military claimed the Taliban only control 25 percent of Buner, but Taliban fighters have been reported in all of the major regions in the district.

Read more in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/taliban_advance_east.php

CLICK on Map:

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/NWFP_redmap_04142008-thumb.jpg (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/NWFP_redmap_04142008.jpg)

[E7ALR]

Today's update and it ain't good folks!!! :wall:

Taliban advance eastward, threaten Islamabad

By Bill Roggio
April 23, 2009 11:45 AM

The Taliban are pushing past the districts of Swat and Buner and are threatening Islamabad, a senior Islamist member of parliament said at a briefing.

The Taliban have consolidated control over the district of Buner (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/taliban_move_on_bune.php) and are moving on Mansehre and Haripur. These two regions, which are just on the outskirts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, have been relatively spared from the violent Taliban insurgency that has plagued the Northwest.

The Taliban have entered the district of Mansehre and are threatening to take of the Tarbela Dam in neighboring Haripur district, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl, an Islamist political party said during a debate in parliament.

"If the Taliban continue to move at this pace, they will soon be knocking at the doors of Islamabad as the Margala Hills seem to be the only hurdle in their march towards the federal capital," Fazl said, according to a report in The News (http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=21689). "After occupying Buner, they have reached Kala Dhaka and may also be taking over the water reservoir of the Tarbela Dam."

Pakistan has reportedly rushed paramilitary forces into Buner today, but some units were attacked by the Taliban stationed there. Six platoons of Frontier Constabulary forces were sent into Buner to secure government buildings. One policeman was reported killed after the Taliban ambushed a convoy, The Associated Press reported (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090423/ap_on_re_as/as_pakistan). The military claimed the Taliban only control 25 percent of Buner, but Taliban fighters have been reported in all of the major regions in the district.

Read more in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/taliban_advance_east.php

CLICK on Map:

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/NWFP_redmap_04142008-thumb.jpg (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/NWFP_redmap_04142008.jpg)

The Pakistani government didn't understand that they were only discussing hostilities in Swat, and not the rest of Pakistan, when they made their "peace" deal with the Taliban. The Taliban only wanted the Government to accept that the government had lost Swat, the taliban never agreed to give up trying to capture the rest of Pakistan, which, after all, is their sworn religious duty and stated goal.

This is what happens when fools try to negotiate with extremists.

[James Juno]

This is scary stuff. While we focus on the likelihood that Iran will have a working bomb within the next few years, here in Pakistan a large group of fundamentalist Islamic radicals (possibly including Osama Bin Laden himself) are inches away from acquiring a stockpile of fission bombs, proven ballistic delivery systems and the means to make many more, all in one fell swoop. This has to be very alarming to India as well.

[E7ALR]

This is scary stuff. While we focus on the likelihood that Iran will have a working bomb within the next few years, here in Pakistan a large group of fundamentalist Islamic radicals (possibly including Osama Bin Laden himself) are inches away from acquiring a stockpile of fission bombs, proven ballistic delivery systems and the means to make many more, all in one fell swoop. This has to be very alarming to India as well.I would expect massive, pre-emptive, nuclear strikes on Pakistani Military installations and weapons storage facilities, from India, if these radicals even appear to be gaining control of pakistan's nuclear arsenal.

[GA_LP]

I would expect massive, pre-emptive, nuclear strikes on Pakistani Military installations and weapons storage facilities, from India, if these radicals even appear to be gaining control of pakistan's nuclear arsenal.
That will end well for all of us. :eek:

[E7ALR]

That will end well for all of us. :eek:
If the extremists take Pakistan, and it's arsenal, India is in the top 3 on their nuclear target list. And the extremists will uase any weapon system they get their hands on.

As a side note, the Iranians are also in the top 3.

[SnowSquirrel]

What I want to know is, where exactly are Pakistan's nuclear weapons? This map (http://www.longwarjournal.org/maps/Pakistan/NWFP_redmap_04142008.php) shows a claim about what areas the Taliban currently controls -- most of them, with the government only firmly holding the capital area.

[crux]

What I want to know is, where exactly are Pakistan's nuclear weapons? This map (http://www.longwarjournal.org/maps/Pakistan/NWFP_redmap_04142008.php) shows a claim about what areas the Taliban currently controls -- most of them, with the government only firmly holding the capital area.


Heres the most known one in Kahuta, Kahn Research Laboratories
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/pakistan/kahuta.htm

To see it on a map , in the link below, it is in the north by Islamabad southeast of Islamabad and Buner( the most recent province to fall)

http://www.atomicarchive.com/Almanac/PakistanFacilities_static.shtml

It's a google map, if you zoom in on the northernmost area you can see the area

[Loyal American]

I would expect massive, pre-emptive, nuclear strikes on Pakistani Military installations and weapons storage facilities, from India, if these radicals even appear to be gaining control of pakistan's nuclear arsenal.
AND what is so interesting is I am watching the interviews of Pakistan officials on our AFN tv over here and they are all in some sort of denial. Like we are in a situation but it's not as bad as everyone is painting it. Clinton was just goin' off the deep end in her assessment of the sitiuation, on and on...

It's like they have blinders on but that's gonna change as soon as the Taliban hit town. There is also Aziz running loose too!

My only point is you have a proud people who won't ask for help, who always refuses help goin' down the tubes fast. :confused:

[Loyal American]

They should of moved before now! I question their ability to stop the advancing T-ban! I give it three months and they'll be in the capital. It's show down time and it's gonna get ugly, God help the Pakistan people!

Rangers deployed to secure Islamabad outskirts
By Bill Roggio
April 24, 2009 12:15 AM

Islamabad officials have moved paramilitary forces to block a potential Taliban advance into the nation's capital as US officials question Pakistan’s ability to stop the creeping insurgency.

Islamabad's deputy commissioner and its senior police official said they are taking steps to counter the Taliban encroachment from the Northwest Frontier Province, Geo News reported. (http://www.geo.tv/4-23-2009/40546.htm) The Pakistan Rangers, a paramilitary force under the command of Pakistan's Interior Ministry, have been deployed to the Margala hills on the northern outskirts of Islamabad. The deputy commissioner said the Taliban will not be able to cross through the Margala hills and into Islamabad.

The move to reinforce Islamabad comes just one day after Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl, an Islamist political party, said the Taliban are beginning to move into the districts of Haripur and Mansehra (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/taliban_advance_east.php). Haripur directly borders Punjab province and Islamabad, and is close to two sensitive nuclear storage facilities.

In Buner, the Pakistani government suffered another defeat as paramilitary police forces were beaten back (http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/nwfp/eight-fc-platoons-dispatched-to-buner-hs) by the Taliban's advanced guard. The government sent an estimated 250 Frontier Constabulary officers into Buner in an attempt to secure government offices. The Taliban ambushed a convoy and killed one officer. The paramilitary police were ordered to withdraw from Buner as the Taliban celebrated their latest victory against the security forces.

The Taliban occupied Buner (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/taliban_move_on_bune.php) by force on April 10 and took full control of the district eight days later. Government offices, courts, medical clinics, and offices run by non-governmental agencies have been shut down. The Taliban have been patrolling and recruiting new fighters while they loot government offices.

Pakistan's tepid response infuriates US officials

See link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/rangers_deployed_to.php

CLICK on Map:

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/NWFP_redmap_04142008-thumb.jpg (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/NWFP_redmap_04142008.jpg)

[mark23]

As a side note, the Iranians are also in the top 3.[/quote]

Well then i guess the Tailban do have a tiny little bit of good in them. Too bad they both couldn't get nukes and use them on each other.:D

[Loyal American]

Read highlighted links:

Entries from Today In Category: 'Pakistan'
Twelve children were killed (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\04\26\story_26-4-2009_pg1_5) in a bombing in Dir. Swabi police seized (http://www.geo.tv/4-26-2009/40712.htm) 475 kg explosives and detained two men while police in Sargodha capture an aide to Baitullah Mehsud and five other Taliban fighters. Policemen refused (http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=174222) to deploy in Buner. The Taliban blocked a military convoy in Swat, stood up (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\04\26\story_26-4-2009_pg1_6) the local Taliban in Buner, and rocketed (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\04\26\story_26-4-2009_pg7_11) the Peshawar airport
Posted by Bill Roggio on April 25, 2009 11:40 PM

http://www.longwarjournal.org/cgi-bin/mt-search.cgi?tag=Pakistan&blog_id=7

[Gray]

Yeah, all is not as simple as it appears.



http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/04/24/1906521.aspx
Inside the Taliban's 'grave error

.....................

A step too far
"The Taliban finally made a grave error," said Javed Siddiq, editor of the influential Urdu language daily Nawa-e-Waqt. "Once they challenged Pakistan’s constitution as un-Islamic, Islamic scholars and the Pakistani people no longer saw them as the self-styled defenders of Islam against western infidels – but infidels themselves who want to dismantle the Pakistani state."

Siddiq said that challenging the constitution was a wrong step and believes it has backfired. Pakistan’s constitution was carefully forged by a board of Islamic scholars in 1973 – every tenet was crafted to make sure it conformed to the principals of Islam.

"Now, all the different sects of the Sunni and Shiite, the religious scholars, the army, the politicians and every Pakistani is against the Taliban," Siddiq said. "They have lost."

The Taliban were quick to sense their blunder and the resulting sea change in the country. "The expansion into Buner was the turning point," said Siddiq. .........

[Loyal American]

Gray, that's an interesting post, thanks!

Wouldn't it be something if the T-ban screwed up like AQ did in Iraq. They were so evil to the Iraqi citizens they turned their very base against them. T-ban is sorta following in their footsteps but that might be because the darling AQ are among them.... not that the T-ban need any help when it comes to evil doings! :evil: None the less it would be a wonderful thing if their devious plan backfired!


Entries from Today In Category: 'Pakistan'

The Pakistani military has launched (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090426/ap_on_re_as/as_pakistan_62) a new offensive against the Taliban in Lower Dir. Masked Taliban militants attacked and killed (http://christianpost.com/Intl/Persecution/2009/04/taliban-attack-kill-christians-in-pakistan-town-26/) at least one Christian and injured dozens of others this past week in a Christian colony in Karachi.

Pakistani law enforcement believes (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\04\26\story_26-4-2009_pg7_15) two suicide bombers have been dispatched to Islamabad and four others to Karachi. Some reports (http://www.ptinews.com/pti/ptisite.nsf/0/E7A42B5F5F751589652575A4002DC19F?OpenDocument) suggest up to 300 Taliban suicide bombers have been prepared to strike across Pakistan's major cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore.


Posted by Matt Dupee on April 26, 2009 1:27 PM

[Loyal American]

UPDATE:

Entries from Today In Category: 'Pakistan'

The government claimed 46 Taliban fighters and two Taliban leaders were killed (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/pakistan_touts_succe.php) during an operation in Dir. The Taliban and the TNSM suspended talks (http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/nwfp/13+fazlullah+jirga+agree+to+continue+peace+talks--za-07) due to Dir. Sufi Mohammed went missing (http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/nwfp/12-sufi-mohammad-missing-since-saturday--bi--10) in Dir. Security forces have deployed (http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/nwfp/12-troops-deployed-along-karakoram-highway--bi-13) on the highway in Shangla, Battagram, and Kohistan after armed attacks.

Posted by Bill Roggio on April 27, 2009 10:50 PM

http://www.longwarjournal.org/today-in/2009/04/the_governemnt_claimed_46_tali.php

[mark23]

The Tailban now say the peace deal with Pakistan is worthless.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,517975,00.html

Wow what a shock!!!!

[Loyal American]

The Tailban now say the peace deal with Pakistan is worthless.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,517975,00.html

Wow what a shock!!!!Funny how T-ban scream the gov't has broke the agreement as they storm across new districts! Very interesting update today, T-ban are gettin' closer to Islamabad and Peshawar regardless of current military operations. AND check out the new map, Haripur is now being shown as under T-ban influence instead of gov't controlled. Looks like an all out effort to get Buner back or save it! It's a wait and see if the military can pull this off!

Pakistan launches operation against the Taliban in Buner

By Bill Roggio
April 28, 2009 10:18 AM

The Pakistani government has launched a military operation in the Taliban-controlled district of Buner. The operation is the second in three days in the Malakand Division, a region recently ceded to the Taliban in a controversial peace agreement.

Paramilitary fighters from the Frontier Corps backed by regular Army units, artillery, helicopter gunships, and attack aircraft moved into Buner this afternoon after the government warned the Taliban to "leave Buner or face action (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\04\28\story_28-4-2009_pg1_2)."

"The aim of the offensive is to eliminate and expel militants from Buner," Major General Athar Abbas, the Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations, said during a briefing (http:///).

Read more in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/pakistan_launches_op_1.php

CLICK on map:

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/NWFP24APR09-thumb.jpg (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/NWFP24APR09.jpg)

[DuckSoupe]

The poor woman in Pakistan must be scared out of their minds with the Taliban at the doorstep. Better iron the burqa, just incase. Play along until rescue comes

[Loyal American]

T-ban have a plan and it's pinning Islamabad down and it looks like nobody can seem to stop them, shall we say the military operation in Buner is not going as planned! Everyone's afraid of the T-ban!........

Taliban capture 60 security personnel in Buner

By Bill Roggio
April 29, 2009 12:06 AM

The Taliban scored the first major victory in the nascent battle of Buner today after its fighters captured 60 Frontier Constabulary and policemen.

Forty-three Frontier Constabulary officers and 17 policemen were captured after the Taliban surrounded their police station in the town of Pir Baba, the home of a shrine of a revered Sufi saint, Dawn reported (http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/nwfp/09-military-operation-launched-in-buner--06). Among those captured was the police chief. The Taliban took control of the town after capturing the police station and the security officials.

Rest in link:
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/taliban_capture_60_s.php

AND there is this:

Taliban advance on Mansehra

By Bill Roggio
April 29, 2009 2:05 AM

As the government is conducting military operations against the Taliban in Dir and Buner in the insurgency-plagued Northwest Frontier Province, Taliban fighters have moved into the district of Mansehra and established a base and a training camp.

More than 100 heavily armed Taliban fighters have established a base of operations in the Kala Dhaka region of Mansehra and set up training camp in Loniyian, Dawn reported. Only 100 poorly armed and trained Levies personnel are said to be on hand to halt a Taliban incursion.

Read more, CLICK on link:
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/taliban_advance_on_m.php


CLICK on map:

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/Islamabad-thumb.jpg (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/Islamabad.jpg)


The poor woman in Pakistan must be scared out of their minds with the Taliban at the doorstep. Better iron the burqa, just incase. Play along until rescue comes
Welcome to the Hannity, DuckSoupe!
Nobody is safe right now, a man and woman were shot down by the T-ban after they accused them of having an affair! NOBODY is safe right now, expecially the kids! They love burning their schools down, no education for girls you know!

[Loyal American]

Today's UPDATE:

Taliban still in control in Dir

By Bill Roggio
April 30, 2009 12:20 AM

The Taliban are in control of much of the northern district of Dir despite claims by senior Pakistani officials that the region was secured after a day's fighting.

The Pakistani military operation, which began on April 26, focused on the Madain region in the southern portion of the district of Dir. The Madain region hosts the home town of Sufi Mohammed, the pro-Taliban cleric who is behind the Malakand accord, the peace agreement that established sharia in Malakand, Dir, Chitral, Swat, Shangla, Buner, and Kohistan and put an end to military operations in Swat.

"The government's writ seems non-existent for nearly 20km from the southern tip of the district," the BBC reported (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8025661.stm). Security checkpoints have been abandoned in many regions outside of Timergara, the main city in Lower Dir. The Taliban often patrol the region and establish checkpoints to monitor traffic.



Rest in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/taliban_still_in_con.php

[Loyal American]

Things in P-stan are changing rapidly, if someone doesn't do somethign soon T-ban will have control before the end of this month AND remember P-stan has nukes! AND the kicker in all this the gov't has intentions of keeping the Malakand Accord alive AT ALL COSTS! What's wrong with this picture????? :doh:

CLICK on Map:

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/NWFP24APR09-thumb-1.jpg (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/NWFP24APR09-1.jpg)


Pakistan, Taliban battle for control of Buner

By Bill Roggio
May 1, 2009 12:05 AM

The Pakistani military and the Taliban battled for control of the district of Buner for the third day. Heavy fighting was reported in several regions of the district as the military retook control of main town and sought to control the passes that link Buner to neighboring districts.

A total of 64 Taliban fighters have been reported killed during the three-day battle. Fourteen Taliban fighters were reported killed in the past 24 hours, military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said in a press briefing in Rawalpindi on Thursday.

See more in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/05/pakistan_taliban_bat.php

[James Juno]

They are hungering to get their hands on those nukes. Nasty situation.

[Loyal American]

They are hungering to get their hands on those nukes. Nasty situation.
Indeed they are and the gov't can't seem to stay focused on danger at hand either! Here's an interesting piece is S&S today that I don't totally agree with. We shouldn't pour another ounce of funding into that country untill we see they are ready to stand up to the T-ban. We need to STOP all FUNDING to P-stan immediately until they get their heads on straight!


Despite Taliban, Pakistan focused on India


By Leo Shane III (shanel@stripes.osd.mil), Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, May 1, 2009

WASHINGTON — When a Pakistani military delegation sat down with Washington policy researchers this week, their focus was clear: The country needs more help to secure the country’s eastern border from a potential Indian threat.

Rand Corporation political scientist Christine Fair, said she expected to hear some long-term military extension of Pakistani leaders’ decision this week to send thousands of soldiers into the country’s Buner district, just 60 miles from the capital, Islamabad, after a new Taliban offensive took control of villages there. They offered none.

"I laughed and told them they needed to get new talking points," said Fair.

"They want more money for F-16s and aren’t looking at all for (counterinsurgency) funds. They’re continuing to defer their own national security due to an exaggerated threat from the east.

"I don’t know what’s going to be a wake-up call for them."

Despite U.S. officials continued pleas for Pakistani officials to focus more on their internal threat from the Taliban, analysts say that Pakistani military planners still see India as the primary threat.

Read more in link:

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=62407

AND remember this folks:

But Pakistan's history of appropriately spending US aid money is appalling. More than $3.8 billion of an estimated $5 billion of military aid given to Pakistan up until December 2007 is unaccounted for (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/24/world/asia/24military.html?_r=1), and it has been reported that millions of dollars in US aid has gone to pay reparations to the Taliban (http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=3.0.3045993078) in Swat.
http://forums.hannity.com/showpost.php?p=50860041&postcount=51

Not another US cent should be given to P-stan until they can assure us it will be used for our intended use only!

[Loyal American]

This is so beyond fixing, I don't think P-stan has the ability or will to tame this situation!


Swat Taliban reject Islamic courts, refuse to disarm

May 3, 2009 12:24 PM ET
By Bill Roggio

Muslim Khan said weapons "are ornaments of Muslims" as the Taliban beheads two government officials in Swat.

[link] (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/05/swat_taliban_reject.php)

[Loyal American]

This makes less sense to me with each passing day. It's been nothing but hell to pay since this Accord got passed so why is P-stan trying to keep it alive??? :rolleyes: Gates said yesterday this has been a wake up call for the gov't of P-stan.......well, they sure aren't acting AWAKE!!!


Malakand Accord "practically stands dissolved" - Taliban spokesman

By Bill Roggio
May 4, 2009 12:43 AM

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/muslim_khan.jpg
Swat Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan.

The Swat Taliban are on the verge of dissolving the controversial Malakand Accord while the Pakistani government scrambles to keep it alive.

Muslim Khan, the spokesman for Swat Taliban leader Mullah Fazlullah, said the peace agreement "practically stands dissolved" as the military is attacking Taliban forces throughout the Malakand Division.

The government signed the Malakand Accord with Taliban front man Sufi Mohammed on February 16. The peace agreement called for the end of military operations in Swat, the end of Taliban operations, and the imposition of sharia, or Islamic law, in the districts of Malakand, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Dir, Chitral, and Kohistan, a region that encompasses nearly one-third of the Northwest Frontier Province.

"Our peace agreement with the NWFP government practically stands dissolved," Khan told The News (http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=21906). "Forces are attacking us and our fighters are also retaliating" against Pakistani security forces and government officials.

"If the Awami National Party [the ruling, secular Pashtun party in the Northwest Frontier Province] supports us, we will not harm them," Khan said. "But if they sided with the government, they too will become our target."

Khan said the Taliban would focus on Pakistan's federal government and the military because they are carrying out the policy of the United States. "However, our main target will be security forces and the rulers of Pakistan," he noted. "We will also act in other cities of Pakistan but will not target the general public."

Amir Izzat Khan, the spokesman for Sufi Mohammad, the leader of the banned pro-Taliban Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammed [TNSM or the Movement for the Enforcement of Mohammed's Law] and father-in-law of Swat Taliban leader Mullah Fazlullah, told The News that the peace agreement is still intact but it would end if the military operations in neighboring Dir and Buner continued.

"If the prevailing situation persists, the government will lose control over the area and reaction to the government actions will also be witnessed in other cities of the country," Khan threatened.

"In that situation, even the TNSM will be unable to control the situation." In the past, the TNSM hasadmitted the group has the ability to control the Taliban violence (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/analysis_pakistani_t.php)in Swat and the surrounding districts.

The government, however, is eager to keep the peace agreement alive. Last Friday, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, the provincial Minister of Information, said military operations would end (http://www.sananews.com.pk/english/2009/05/02/dir-buner-operation-to-be-halted-after-darul-qadha-mian-iftikhar/) once the Darul Qaza, or Islamic appellate courts, were established in the Malakand Division. Military officials also indicated the Buner and Dir operations would only last a week, signaling they had no intentions of ejecting the Taliban from the districts. Yesterday the government rushed the establishment of the courts. But the move only angered the Taliban and the TNSM (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/05/swat_taliban_reject.php), who claim they were not consulted.

The Taliban takeover of Swat and the government's approval of the Malakand Accord has fueled the expansion eastward from the tribal areas. The Taliban's move into Buner has put the Taliban within 60 miles of Peshawar and close to several nuclear facilities and the vital Tarbela Dam. The Taliban also moved into Mansehra (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/taliban_advance_on_m.php) and established bases and a training camp in the region.

Government and military officials have dismissed the Taliban threat to Islamabad and its nuclear facilities, but at the end of April, the local Islamabad government ordered troops to deploy in the Margala hills (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/rangers_deployed_to.php) just north of the city to block a Taliban advance, while the Haripur government beefed up security at the Tarbela Dam.

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/05/malakand_accord_prac.php

[Loyal American]

Update:

Taliban on the offensive in Swat
By Bill Roggio
May 4, 2009 3:12 PM

One soldier killed in an ambush on convoy; two policemen wounded and 46 security personnel are surrounded as the Taliban besiege a power grid station in Mingora.

[link] (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/05/taliban_on_the_offen.php)

[Loyal American]

I think P-stan waited too long, this is so out of hand! Day late and a dollar short but I hope I'm wrong, it's a wait and see thing!

Taliban and Pakistani military battle in Swat

By Bill Roggio
May 6, 2009 11:48 AM

The Pakistani military and the Taliban are battling in the Taliban-controlled districts of Swat and Buner. The Pakistani military claimed 37 Taliban fighters and four security personnel were killed in Swat and 27 more Taliban fighters were killed neighboring Buner.

The Taliban took over the town of Saidu Sharif (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\05\06\story_6-5-2009_pg1_5) late last night and occupied government offices and the homes of political figures, including the home of Swat's District Coordination Officer.

Mingora, the main town in Swat, was also overrun by the Taliban. “Armed Taliban are patrolling the roads of Mingora and other areas,” the Pakistani military said. The military is attacking Taliban positions with helicopter gunships, Dawn reported (http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/provinces/11-gunship-helicopters-pound-mingora--01).

The Taliban have come down from their bases in the surrounding mountains and began attacking (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/05/taliban_on_the_offen.php) police stations and checkpoints on Sunday after saying the peace agreement signed in February was dead. The Taliban are also seeding the area with roadside bombs.

"Militants in gross violation of peace accord, continued firing at various check posts of security forces in Kanju, Saidu Sharif, Matta and other areas of Swat," the Pakistani military said (http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=75331&Itemid=1) in a press release. "Militants have planted IEDs in various areas of Swat to inflict causalities on security forces and civilians.”

The military claimed Taliban fighters were attacking security forces from the Emerald Mines. The military returned fire and claimed to have killed 35 Taliban fighters during the engagement.

The Taliban disputed the military's account of casualties and claimed none of their fighters have been killed. Late last night, Daily Times reported that 21 people were killed in Swat, the large majority being civilians. The Pakistani military has been reporting high Taliban casualties, but as reports from Buner show, many of those reported killed are civilians attempting to flee the battlefield. The military has shot up cars filled with civilians and claimed they were suicide bombers.

Large numbers of civilians have begun to flee Swat in anticipation of a renewed military in the region. More than 50,000 civilians have left Swat already, and 500,000 of the district's 1.5 million residents are expected to leave. Regular Army troops are said to have been moved to the region to renew the offensive in Swat; 6,000 troops or two brigades are rumored to have been deployed near Swat and Buner last week.

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/05/taliban_and_pakistan.php

[Loyal American]

UPDATE......

Pakistan Army to 'eliminate' the Taliban in Swat: Prime Minister Gilani

By Bill Roggio
May 7, 2009 2:24 PM

The Pakistani government is preparing to launch a military offensive in Swat as security forces suffered heavy casualties during the past two days of fighting.

The military is being dispatched to "eliminate" the Taliban after the Taliban violated the peace agreement, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said during an address on Pakistani television.
The government has "decided not to bow … [their] … heads in front of terrorists… The army has been called in to eliminate the militants," Dawn reported (http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/11-gilani-announces-military-action--05).

The government "implemented the Swat peace accord because of the people… [and] implemented the Nizam-e-Adl [Islamic law regulation] despite both domestic and international pressure," Gilani said. But the pro-Taliban group that negotiated with the government "did not abide by the peace agreement and continued with violence. The militants have waged war against all segments of society."

It is unclear if the government will announce the end of the Malakand Accord. The Taliban declared the agreement dead days ago.

Fighting in Swat has been heavy over the past two days. The military claimed 55 Taliban fighters and six civilians were killed (http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/provinces/09-55-militants-6-civilians-killed-in-swat-officials-szh--05)today as Pakistani Air Force fighters and Army helicopters pounded Taliban positions. The military claimed it killed Taliban commander Ibn Aaqil, who is the brother of Ibn Amin (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/terrorists_rally_in_swat_march_through_region.php) , the leader of a brigade of al Qaeda's paramilitary Shadow Army (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/al_qaedas_paramilita.php) that is operating in Swat and now Buner. The Taliban has more than 7,000 fighters active in Swat.

More in link:
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/05/pakistan_army_to_eli.php

CLICK on map:
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/NWFP-NORTH-06MAY09_900-thumb.jpg (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/NWFP-NORTH-06MAY09_900.jpg)

[RedStatePaPa]

not good, but not at all unexpected.

Paki is the spiritual home of the Taliban, and Mushariffs govt
and military were overrun with them.

at least now we know where the stand - openly.

as much as I'd like to blame Obama for this, it was gonna
happen regardless of who was in the WH.

big question for Obama is now what?

What are the odds that Pakistan and their nukes were the end goal all along and Iraq was just a diversion?

Is that too far fetched? Or maybe their strategy shifted when they saw our media's and the dems reaction to our Iraq involvement.

Personally I think it is a possibility as these people aren't stupid and they are patient.



Maybe they read us so well knowing that we would tire of a conflict with no clearly defined victory and would end up electing democrats who are easier to manipulate.

[Solsbury Krill]

Is that too far fetched?


Yes, completely.

[Loyal American]

Pakistani claims of high Taliban casualties 'wildly exaggerated' - US officials

By Bill Roggio
May 11, 2009 10:20 AM

US military and intelligence officials are expressing skepticism about Pakistani claims of high Taliban casualties as the fighting spreads in the volatile northwest.

Rest in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/05/pakistani_claims_of.php

[Loyal American]

Time for an update and it's not going too well even if P-stan is reporting they've killed hundreds of T-ban and their brothers in the last four days! :rolleyes:

Heavy fighting continues in northwestern Pakistan

By Bill Roggio
May 15, 2009 7:11 PM

Heavy fighting has been reported in Pakistan's northwest as the Taliban fighters put up heavy resistance to military advances in Swat, Dir, Buner, and Shangla.

The military continues to report high casualties among the Taliban; more than 175 Taliban fighters have been reported (http://www.geo.tv/5-15-2009/42144.htm) killed (http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/15-May-2009/Deadly-battle-for-Mingora-looms) in the past two days. The latest figure put Taliban casualties at nearly 1,000 killed during 18 days of fighting. The military is also claiming that only 45 soldiers and other security personnel have been killed during the fighting.

More in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/05/heavy_fighting_conti.php

[Loyal American]

US strikes Taliban, al Qaeda in North Waziristan

By Bill Roggio
May 16, 2009 1:16 AM

The US has struck at Taliban and al Qaeda targets inside Pakistan's Taliban-controlled tribal agencies for the third time this week. Twenty-five (http://www.geo.tv/5-16-2009/42230.htm) Taliban and al Qaeda operatives are reported to have been killed and several more were wounded in an airstrike in North Waziristan.


US ceased notifying Pakistan of strikes

The Pakistani government has officially protested the Predator strikes in the past, but behind the scenes it has allowed the airstrikes. Pakistani intelligence also passes information to US intelligence to target Taliban leaders.

The US has reciprocated, but the intelligence often is turned over to the Taliban and al Qaeda, who use the information to evade the strikes. The US has stopped notifying Pakistan of planned strikes due to the leaks, Dawn reported (http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/06-pakistan-drones-policy-criticised-06-rs).

Full entry in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/05/us_strikes_taliban_a.php

[crux]

The US has stopped notifying Pakistan of planned strikes due to the leaks, Dawn reported (http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/06-pakistan-drones-policy-criticised-06-rs).The leaks in the US or in Pakistan? :think: :)

[Loyal American]

The leaks in the US or in Pakistan? :think: :)Good question, indeed! :think:

[James Juno]

The leaks in the US or in Pakistan? :think: :)

Probably in the US. Biden is an American, after all.

[Loyal American]

Update and it's not goin' too well! I am losing sleep over this, this is out of control. :frown: Does the P-stan force have what it takes to fight this dog or not???? :think:

Taliban move forces eastward into Battagram

By Bill Roggio
May 17, 2009 5:17 PM

As the fighting between the Pakistani military and the Taliban heats up in the war-torn district of Swat, the Taliban has moved a small force eastward into the district of Battagram.

More than 150 Taliban fighters advanced into the northern district on May 14, linked up with local supporters, and attacked a police checkpoint in Batta Mori. The Taliban force quickly captured the four policemen on duty, took control of the checkpoint, and seized the policemen’s rifles and ammunition.

The Taliban then threatened to torture and behead the policemen, according to a report in The News (http://thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=22163). The police were released after they promised to quit their jobs. The Taliban then torched the checkpoint.

The checkpoint was established to block a Taliban advance into the district after fighting broke out in the neighboring districts of Shangla and Buner, as well as in nearby Swat and Dir.

More in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/05/taliban_move_forces.php

Click on map:
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/Islamabad-thumb.jpg (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/Islamabad.jpg)

[James Juno]

More troubling news:

Pakistan Seen Rapidly Expanding Nuclear Arsenal
Monday, May 18, 2009

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,520469,00.html?test=latestnews

Pakistan's effort to build new atomic weapons has been a source of growing concern in Washington, because the country is producing more nuclear material at a time when the U.S. is increasingly focused on trying to assure the security of Pakistan's 80 to 100 weapons which it fears could fall into the hands of Islamic militants, the report said.

The administration's effort is complicated by the fact that Pakistan is producing an unknown amount of new weapons-grade uranium and, once a series of new reactors is completed, weapons-grade plutonium for a new generation of arms, the paper added.

[Loyal American]

More troubling news:

Pakistan Seen Rapidly Expanding Nuclear Arsenal
Monday, May 18, 2009

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,520469,00.html?test=latestnews
Yet we will give them funding for arms and they won't be able to account for the money six months later because huge amounts will be used to appease the T-ban ....

Now the defense dept. is gearing up to send aid for the refugees inside P-stan, wonder how much aid will actually get to the 800,000 to 900,000 refugees they've created themselves with this stupid Malakand deal they struck with the devil?

We aren't any better, we know half the govt and most of the ISI are in bed with the T-ban so why feed the problem because it's only going to come back to bite us on the behind!?!?

[Loyal American]

P-stan has 650,000 Soldiers on active duty and they sent 15,000 in to fight the T-ban in Swat! AND it's not working to damn well, are they serious about defeating the T-ban?......I think NOT!

AND why would they put out an effort in No. or So. Waziristan when they can sneak us info knowing we'll do an air strike for them? Grrr!

Swat offensive stalls as Taliban strike outside the war zone
By Bill Roggio
May 22, 2009 6:49 PM

As the Pakistani military operation in Swat is called into question, the Taliban have stepped up attacks in the central region in the Northwest Frontier Province. Over the past 24 hours the Taliban conducted three deadly attacks against security forces and civilians in Peshawar, Tank, and Dera Ismail Khan.

Read much more in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/05/swat_offensive_stall.php


Waziristan operation not on the horizon: Zardari

By Bill Roggio
May 23, 2009 9:07 AM

The military has no plans to launch an operation against the Taliban in North and South Waziristan, Pakistan's president said, denying earlier reports.

President Asif Ali Zardari backtracked from statements made to The Times during his visit to the US.

"We’re going to go into Waziristan, all these regions, with army operations," Zardari told The Times in an interview (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6301815.ece). "Swat is just the start. It’s a larger war to fight."

Zardari told reporters in Islamabad that he was misquoted by The Times, according to a report in The India Tribune (http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090523/world.htm#1), but reiterated that the Pakistani Army would continue to fight the Taliban.

The Taliban responded to Zardari's threat by demanding that the military withdraw from outposts in Wana, Tanai, and Shakai, and vacate the brigade headquarters in Zari Noor. The Taliban also demanded the military stop establishing checkpoints along the roads, minimize military traffic, and end the Predator strikes targeting Taliban and al Qaeda leaders. The Taliban gave the military until May 25 to respond or "or face consequences," according to Dawn (http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/provinces/09-govt-begins-preparations-for-expected-waziristan-idps-szh--08).

Rest in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/05/waziristan_operation.php

[Loyal American]

Update:

Pakistani troops advance into Swat’s main town

By Bill RoggioMay 25, 2009 1:06 AM


The Pakistani Army made its initial advance into the Taliban stronghold of Mingora, the main town in the insurgency-racked district of Swat. Soldiers appear to have encountered lighter than expected resistance from the Taliban, who have been reported to have entrenched in the town and mined the roadways.

Pakistani troops moved into the district’s main town after securing the Kambar Ridge to the east over the weekend. Five Taliban fighters and three soldiers were reported to have been killed during the opening round of fighting in Mingora, Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told Dawn (http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/07-security-forces-gain-ground-close-in-on-mingora-ha-06). Fourteen Taliban fighters were captured and six soldiers were wounded during the fighting.
Security forces encountered 12 roadside bombs during the advance into the town.

Soldiers seized eight chowks [squares or intersections], in the town, including the notorious Green Chowk, where the Taliban conducted public executions, including beheadings, and dumped the bodies of those who opposed Taliban rule.

More in link:
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/05/pakistani_troops_adv.php

[Loyal American]

Taliban attack paramilitary camp in South Waziristan

By Bill Roggio
May 31, 2009 9:36 AM

Fighting has broken out in South Waziristan after the Taliban attacked a paramilitary camp and outposts in the lawless tribal agency.

The clashes broke out after a Taliban force attacked a camp and checkpoints run by the paramilitary Frontier Corps in the town of Spinkai Raghzai. Reports of casualties range from 25 to 50 Taliban, and seven Frontier Corps were killed in the fighting.

The military reported in a press release that 15 Taliban fighters and three troops were killed in the attack on the encampment. "The attack was repulsed successfully, inflicting heavy casualties on militants," the military said (http://www.geo.tv/5-31-2009/43200.htm).

Unnamed intelligence sources said 40 Taliban fighters were killed during the battle. "Militants came in force and attacked a paramilitary camp and fighting lasted for eight hours," an official told Reuters (http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/16-40-taliban-killed-in-south-waziristan-official-hs-15). "At least 40 militants were killed while four soldiers died."

More in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/05/taliban_attack_param.php


AND........


Taliban kidnap hundreds of cadets in Waziristan

By Bill Roggio
June 1, 2009 2:06 PM

The Taliban in North Waziristan carried out a brazen daylight operation that resulted in the kidnapping of hundreds of military cadets and their teachers as they traveled from a college in North Waziristan.

A large, Taliban force armed with rocket-propelled grenades, machine guns, and assault rifles halted the convoy of 29 minibuses traveling from the Ramzak Cadet College to the settled district of Bannu. The cadets were traveling under the protection of Pakistani security forces, however there are no reports of fighting.

Between 300 to 400 cadets, teachers, and college staffers were kidnapped (http://www.geo.tv/6-1-2009/43261.htm) and taken to an undisclosed location. One bus driver and more than a 40 students are reported to have escaped the Taliban hijacking.

"[A] Driver of one of the vehicles managed to escape and students reported to us that their colleagues have been kidnapped by Taliban," a police official in Bakka Khel told Reuters. (http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/11-several-dozen-cadets-kidnapped-in-north-waziristan--il--03) The convoy is said to have been ambushed near Bakka Khel.

The cadets and staff left the college after being threatened by the Taliban, according to reports.

Mirza Muhammad Jihadi, the advisor to the prime minister on tribal affairs confirmed the hijacking and kidnapping, and said negotiations are underway to secure the release of the captive cadets and teachers.

More in link:
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/06/taliban_kidnap_hundr.php

[Loyal American]

Time for a P-stan update and it's anything but good....

Pakistani military, Taliban clash throughout the northwest

By Bill Roggio
June 13, 2009 3:01 AM

The fighting in Pakistan's insurgency-plagued Northwest Frontier Province and the neighboring tribal areas has intensified over the past 24 hours. The Pakistani military has launched attacks against Taliban hideouts in the tribal agencies of South Waziristan, Mohmand, and Bajaur, while heavy fighting was reported in the settled districts of Swat, Bannu, and Hangu.

Pakistani military grinds it out in Swat, Dir, and Buner

The Pakistani Army continues its offensive against Mullah Fazlullah's Taliban fighters in Swat and the neighboring districts of Dir and Buner. The military claimed 39 Taliban fighters and 10 soldiers were killed during heavy fighting (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\06\13\story_13-6-2009_pg1_8) in Swat. Twenty-four additional soldiers were wounded. The latest casualties raise the tally to nearly 1,400 Taliban and more than 100 Pakistani soldiers killed since the operation was launched in late April. The military claims no civilians have been killed during the fighting.

Read rest in link:
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/06/pakistani_military_t_1.php

[Loyal American]

Update and it's unbelievable, wonder if the 900 deserted is correct?!?!

Pakistani military facing tougher fight in northwest than reported

By Bill Roggio
June 18, 2009 2:39 AM

The Pakistani military has encountered tougher resistance than it has reported since it took on the Taliban in the Swat Valley in late April, according to a classified intelligence briefing given to the senior-most Indian military leaders. The tough fighting has caused cracks in some of the military units, but the force has not broken.

The secret briefing was recently delivered by the Indian Defense Staff to the Chiefs of Staff Committee, the equivalent to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Two pages of the briefing, labeled "SIT IN FATA," or the situation in the FATA [Federally Administered Tribal Agency], have been obtained by The Long War Journal. Elements of this briefing were reported by India Today (http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=46660&sectionid=4&secid=0&Itemid=1&issueid=110) on June 16.

US intelligence officials told The Long War Journal the Indian assessment is "accurate."
The Indian assessment said that more than 370 soldiers have been killed and some soldiers have deserted since the operation against Mullah Fazlullah's Taliban forces in Swat, Dir, and Buner began almost two months ago. India Today put the number of soldiers that have deserted at more than 900.

The Pakistani military has reported only 120 soldiers have been killed during the operation, while claiming more than 1,500 Taliban fighters, or more than 20 percent of the estimated Taliban fighters in Swat, have been killed. The numbers cannot be confirmed as the military has conducted a virtual media blackout in the Swat Valley. In the past, US military sources have described the Taliban casualty figures to The Long War Journal as "wildly exaggerated," (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/05/pakistani_claims_of.php) and have put the latest estimate of Taliban killed at around 500.

Rest in link:
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/06/pakistani_military_f_1.php


AND I got all excited when I saw this yesterday BUT I just don't have faith P-stan troops will be able to realize success on this mission!

Analysis: Waziristan operation to focus on Baitullah Mehsud

By Bill Roggio
June 17, 2009 2:18 AM

As the Pakistani military gears up for what appears to be a major operation into the Taliban stronghold of South Waziristan, the government and military are signaling that the operation is limited to taking out Baitullah Mehsud. The three other powerful Taliban groups based in North and South Waziristan do not appear to be on the Pakistan Army’s target list.

The South Waziristan operation, called Rah-e-Nijat, or the Way of Salvation, is already underway, according to the Pakistani military’s top spokesman. The military has been positioning troops and armor in the neighboring district of Tank while conducting artillery and airstrikes into regions run by Baitullah Mehsud, the overall commander of the Pakistani Taliban. The main roads in the region are also being blocked to cut off supplies to Baitullah's forces. Further north the military is battling the Taliban in the Jani Khel and Baka Khel regions in Bannu, which borders North Waziristan.

Read more:
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/06/analysis_waziristan.php

[Loyal American]

I've been waiting a long time for P-stan to go into So. Waziristan, this has been goin' on for a few days now and we'll see what happens BUT US has had two strikes today in same area sooooo I sure wouldn't want to be Baitullah Mehsud today, everybodies just out to get 'em, pickin' on the poor dude!!!! :)


Seventeen Taliban killed in second US strike in South Waziristan

By Bill Roggio
June 23, 2009 12:30 PM

The US carried out its second Predator airstrike inside South Waziristan today. Unmanned Predator aircraft killed 17 Taliban fighters in an attack near the headquarters for Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud.

The Predator strike aircraft fired three Hellfire missiles as Taliban fighters gathered for a funeral of Commander Sangeen, a leader in Baitullah's army in South Waziristan who was among six Taliban fighters killed in the first US airstrike (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/06/six_killed_in_us_pre.php) earlier today.

The attack took place in the town of Makeen, a stronghold of Baitullah Mehsud, according to Geo News (http://www.geo.tv/6-23-2009/44703.htm). The US has hit Taliban facilities in the Makeen region three times since June 14. The Pakistani Air Force has also launched several attacks in the region.

These attacks coincided with an important meeting between Baitullah and a senior delegation of Taliban and al Qaeda leaders to discuss the military's operation in South Waziristan. Among those in attendance were Siraj Haqqani, Abu Yahya al Libi, Abdul Haq, and two senior deputies of Mullah Abdullah Zakir. The US appears to have targeted al Qaeda’s senior leadership as it met with Baitullah.

Rest in link:
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/06/seventeen_taliban_ki.php



Pakistani aircraft pound Taliban in South Waziristan

By Bill Roggio
June 22, 2009 4:28 PM

The Pakistani Air force continues to pound Taliban positions in South Waziristan as ground forces prepare for the ground assault against Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud.
Since Sunday, more than 30 Taliban fighters and civilians have been reported killed during air and artillery strikes in Baitullah's tribal areas. Most of today's strikes were in response to Taliban military assaults on bases in both North and South Waziristan.

More in link:
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/06/pakistani_aircraft_p.php


Don't ya just love airpower!!! Go go airpower!!! :clap:

[ctherc]

Oh, and uh...yes, er, um.......they have Nuclear weapons..

SHARIA LAW!!!

how's that 'dip-lomacy' thing working for ya there Mr Obama..


Everyone thinks Obama is #1!

[Darkblade]

the picture is funny but it is also an insta-ban violation. you got to delete it before a mod sees it. do it now!

[ctherc]

the picture is funny but it is also an insta-ban violation. you got to delete it before a mod sees it. do it now!

:razz:

[Darkblade]

whew! just so you know: anything that depicts an f-bomb to include pictures of people shooting the bird is an instaban offense and i think it's also permanent.

[ctherc]

whew! just so you know: anything that depicts an f-bomb to include pictures of people shooting the bird is an instaban offense and i think it's also permanent.


Well that should be a bannable offense.I would never shoot a bird :D

[Loyal American]

Update:

Taliban end North Waziristan peace agreement

By Bill Roggio
June 29, 2009 9:00 PM

The Taliban in North Waziristan have ended a peace agreement with the government, putting in jeopardy the military's plan to isolate Baitullah Mehsud in South Waziristan.

The Taliban shura, or council, in North Waziristan decided to terminate the 16-month-old peace agreement because the Taliban's demands that the government withdraw troops from the tribal agency and end the US-led and Pakistan-supported Predator campaign have not been met.

"We will attack forces everywhere in Waziristan unless the government fulfills these two demands," said Ahmadullah Ahmadi, a spokesman for the Taliban.

More in link:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/06/taliban_end_north_wa.php