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| Afghanistan/South Asia | |
| Pakistanis say they're gonna hit North Waziristan | |
| 2005-07-14 | |
| A Pakistani general warned tribes in North Waziristan on Thursday of an imminent offensive to flush out foreign militants, including al Qaeda fighters, hiding in the region close to the Afghan border. The threat came as the government once again prepared for international media to put Pakistan's war on terrorism under the spotlight following revelations that British-born Pakistanis carried out last week's suicide bomb attacks in London that killed at least 52 people. At a meeting with tribal elders, Major-General Akram Sahi, commander of Pakistani troops in North Waziristan, gave the tribesmen 24 hours to hand over suspected militants. Tension has been building for months in North Waziristan since the army completed a series of offensives to dislodge al Qaeda bases in neighboring South Waziristan. "I want you to hand over these foreigners or send them out yourselves or we will launch an operation against them after the deadline," Sahi told a tribal council in Miranshah, the main town of the semi-autonomous region.
In April, Pakistan bridled over comments made by Lieutenant General David Barno, head of U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan, that it was planning a big offensive in North Waziristan. Pakistan risked the wrath of the volatile Pashtun tribes when it first sent the army into their homelands in late 2003 to hunt suspected al Qaeda and Taliban militants. Sahi assured the council, or jirga, that foreigners living peacefully would not be harmed but resistance would be met firmly. "This time we will not show a soft hand. There will be no delay in the operation if the foreigners are not flushed out," he said. A Pakistani soldier was killed during a search operation in Miranshah two weeks ago, and Sahi demanded that the killer be handed over. | |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #8 Ship - Lay's makes spicy ketchup flavored potato chips - for sale only in the ME and parts of Asia. I laughed the first time I saw them at Eastern Market, y'know the place - on Doha Rd, but eventually bought a bag and they were pretty good, lol! Those devilish marketeers are on to ya, better watch out... |
| Posted by: .com 2005-07-14 19:27 |
| #7 In 1971 India had to stop Moslem mass-murder of Bengali civilians (estimated at one to three million) in what was then East Pakistan (Bangladesh). Most of the persecuted civilians were Hindu. The Pakistan army also eliminated all professional Bengali (doctors, writers, engineers, etc.). More than ten million Bengalis fled to neighbouring areas of India. After independence from (West) Pakistan, Bangladesh was established as a secular country favouring the name People's Republic of Bangladesh over Islamic Republic of Bangladesh. In the early 50s an attempt was made to impose Urdu, the official language in West Pakistan, and eliminate Bangla, which was spoken by 98% of the people in East Pakistan. A bloody civilian revolt ensued. By contrast with West Pakistan, most Bangladeshi Muslims are influenced by Sufism. In other words, taking into account Kashmir and Afghanistan, Pakistan is behind the murder and persecution of countless millions of people around South Asia for 50+ years. |
| Posted by: Kalle (kafir forever) 2005-07-14 15:39 |
| #6 I've also developed a taste for Indian spicy ketchup. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2005-07-14 12:37 |
| #5 According to this Pak, India bad, Pakistan good Stability, not weapons By Shamshad Ahmad Former Foreign Secretary Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan In 1971, taking advantage of an entirely domestic political crisis in our country, India intervened militarily subverting our independence and territorial integrity. No world power, not even the US stopped it from dismembering Pakistan, the worst that could happen to any independent country in the world. A determined US reaction at that time in support of Pakistan, an ally and a friend, âunilaterallyâ or with the help of an âinternational coalition,â would have prevented future military invasions and costly wars, including the Afghan war, the Gulf war and now the Iraq war. Saddam Hussein could not but be emboldened in his own military adventures. After all, the world had acquiesced in Indiaâs military adventure against Pakistan. |
| Posted by: john 2005-07-14 10:37 |
| #4 oh crap...another faux raid. They must keep these plans in a binder - on the cover : "for PR purposes only" |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-07-14 10:36 |
| #3 "We're tuning up the drums even as we speak..." |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2005-07-14 10:32 |
| #2 An attempt by Pak to distract attention from the LeT terror camps staffed by ISI officers. |
| Posted by: john 2005-07-14 10:27 |
| #1 Do you think that the UK/US finally told Pakistan either you go in or we do? Blair did say, "Give us a week to bury our dead." This could also be a ploy to get aQ looking the wrong way. Either way, I hope we know where those Pak nukes are, and can hit them in case of a coup. |
| Posted by: chthus 2005-07-14 10:25 |