Pak Army's plans to use private militia against Taliban may backfire: ReportSeptember 18th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The Pakistan Army's initiative to sponsor local militias, or the lashkars, as they are commonly known, may have been working in its favour against the Taliban, however some people feel such move could back fire in future. Backed by the Army, which had initiated an all out operation against the Taliban in Swat and Malakand Divisions in April, more than 8,000 villagers living across the region have joined these militias to try to keep the Taliban away from their villages.
70 killed in Pakistan Taliban, local militia clashesAugust 12th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - At least 70 people were killed and dozens injured Tuesday in clashes between Taliban militants and a pro-government militia in Pakistan's ungoverned tribal belt that borders Afghanistan, intelligence officials said Wednesday. The fighting erupted when dozens of militants loyal to local Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, attacked the followers of Turkistan Bittani, who allied with the government after defecting the Taliban, in Jandola area of tribal district South Waziristan.
We killed 167 Taliban in two months: Dir LashkarAugust 7th, 2009 PESHAWAR - A local lashkar (tribal militia) in Pakistan's Upper Dir region has claimed to have killed at least 167 Taliban militants in last two months. Two months ago, around 200 villagers formed a lashkar to avenge the June 5 mosque bombing that killed 38 people in Hayagai Sharqai village, the Daily Times reports.
Taliban may target oil depots, grid stations in Pak PunjabJuly 30th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan Intelligence agencies have warned that the Taliban could target oil depots, grid stations, railway tracks and river bridges in Punjab. According to a notification issued by the provincial Home Department, the Taliban has already dispatched a teenage suicide bomber to target government buildings and other important installations in the province.
It's insane to dream Pak govt. acting against 'Army brainchild' Taliban: ANPJuly 28th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A leader of Pakistan's Awami National Party (ANP) has said the Taliban is a 'brainchild' of the military and the latter cannot be expected to crush the banned outfit completely. "It's an insane dream to expect anything different from the Pakistani government.
Top Taliban commanders wiped out in Swat: MalikJuly 7th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Prime Minister's advisor on Interior Affairs, Rehman Malik has said that the major Taliban leadership has been wiped out from Swat. Talking to media persons here, Malik claimed that the military offensive being carried out in the North West Frontier Province's (NWFP) Swat and Malakand Divisions have been successful with top commanders of the Taliban killed.
45 Taliban insurgents killed in South Waziristan, SwatJune 30th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - At least 45 Taliban insurgents were killed in separate incidents in South Waziristan, as the Pakistan Air Force fighter jets continued to pound militant hideouts in the region. Several extremists were also reportedly killed in clashes with the tribal militias in Swat and Kurram region.
Pak army on horns of dilemma over how to tackle Taliban in WaziristanJune 19th, 2009 WASHINGTON - As Pakistan looks to open new fronts against the Taliban and other extremists, and particularly against the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) chief Baitullah Mehsud in South Waziristan, some vital questions, which have emerged from the Swat offensive, have remained unanswered. With the Pakistan Army preparing to launch a fresh offensive in South Waziristan, it still remains unclear, as to for how long the troops would be asked to stay in the valley to maintain peace and order there.
'30 explosive-laden vehicles enter Punjab, Rawalpindi'June 18th, 2009 RAWALPINDI/LAHORE - At least 30 explosive-laden vehicles have entered Punjab as well as the garrison town of Rawalpindi adjacent to the Pakistani capital Islamabad from the tribal areas of the country, a media report Thursday said. The intelligence agencies had warned of the entry of the 30 explosive-laden vehicles, Online news agency reported, quoting a private TV channel.
'Taliban are like a balloon, you squeeze them over here and they pop up over there'May 8th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Pakistan may have declared an all out war against the Taliban in the Swat and Malakand Division of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), but many believe that it is almost impossible to contain the advancing militia, which they liken to a balloon that can not be stopped from popping up in different directions when subjected to pressure. With Swat and Malakand already under the Taliban's grip, fears are rife that it is almost a matter of time when Mardan, situated just 30 miles away from Swat, would cave in to the extremists.
Western media, experts predict Taliban-led mayhem in PakApril 26th, 2009 LAHORE - Alarmed over thousands of Taliban militants pouring into the Swat Valley and spreading to other areas, leading US dailies have warned that Pakistan with its 176 million people and its pivotal position in the region is "more than likely to collapse into a growing civil war."
US special envoy to the region Richard Holbrooke does not mince words: "If the situation with Pakistan continues to deteriorate, success in the region will be very elusive."
"What we see spreading in the northwest territories of Pakistan is something new for Pakistan, and it is beginning to consume the country," said Heritage Foundation's Lisa Curtis. Even while the war continues on a 'generally botched level' across Afghanistan, the Washington Post announced that the centre of gravity had moved to Pakistan.
Recession-hit Brit men ditch boxers for Y-frontsApril 26th, 2009 LONDON - The ongoing recession has certainly changed Brit men's underwear choices, for the sales of Y-fronts have increased by 35 per cent. According to retailer Debenhams, sales of Y-fronts are outperforming than that of trendy boxers and trunks.
Pak Army must end India-driven strategy to avoid becoming al Qaeda, Taliban caliphateApril 23rd, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The Pakistani Army must end its age old anti-India strategy and try to save Pakistan from becoming the caliphate of al Qaeda and the Taliban, according to a leading Islamabad based daily. The Taliban are linked to al Qaeda and they are counting on such elements in Punjab to help them take their war down to other parts of Pakistan.
Pak Punjab falling under Taliban's grip: MQMApril 22nd, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's Punjab province is falling under the grip of the Taliban and the country needs to act quickly to eliminate this grave threat to the heart of our country, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Deputy Parliamentary leader Dr Farooq Sattar has said. Talking to reporters at Parliament House, Sattar claimed the Taliban were getting stronger in Punjab and the time had come to take immediate action against the people who posed a grave threat to Pakistan's security.
Taliban is Pakistan's best bet to counter India's increasing regional influence: US ExpertsApril 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Pakistan may never be able to tackle the increasing influence of the Taliban, as it considers the outlawed group as its best bet to counter the growing influence of India in the region, experts believe. US policymakers are also skeptical about Pakistan's role in the US led war against the Taliban and other terrorist groups.
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