Pakistan's flames of war spread

[Aidoneus]

Pakistan's flames of war spread
By Syed Saleem Shahzad

KARACHI - Amid reports of an escalation of resistance and even foreign complicity, fighting continues between the army and suspected al-Qaeda militants in Pakistan's tribal region of South Waziristan on the border with Afghanistan.

Tribal elders had earlier tried to talk foreign militants and their local supporters into surrendering during a break in the fighting that began in earnest last week. But the army apparently was not prepared to wait any longer, and nor were their targets, as overnight reports filtered in of attacks on military bases in other parts of the troubled region, and even a rocket attack on Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province.

More disturbingly, there have been confirmed reports of dissent among the ranks of the Pakistani para-military troops and the army sent into the semi-autonomous region to flush out al-Qaeda and Afghan resistance suspects. More than 5,000 forces have been deployed in the region.

At the same time, talking to Asia Times Online, a high-level army officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that India's Research and Analysis Wing as well as the Northern Alliance - which makes up most of the government in Afghanistan - were attempting to exploit the volatile situation in the tribal areas to foment further unrest. "Yes, there are reports of infiltration from across the border and there is a fear that the Afghan Northern Alliance and Indian intelligence will take advantage of the situation and try their level best to further deteriorate the situation," he said.

--snip--

The level of resistance to the Pakistan army in the tribal areas - by both foreign militants and local tribespeople - has been far greater than anticipated, according to security people who spoke to Asia Times Online. They claim that the reaction has now reached dangerous levels as it appears to be spreading beyond South and North Waziristan to the other five tribal regions. Attacks have been reported in Khuram agency (Parachanar) on army troops. There have also been protest rallies in Khyber agency, with tribal leaders warning that if the army does not withdraw from South Waziristan, they will join hands with Wazir tribes there.

The country's top brass are obviously deeply concerned at the situation, but are compelled to push on with the operation as the United States is applying heavy pressure on Islamabad to remain committed. As a result, cracks are already appearing within the army as some ranks are unwilling to take on their countrymen. In one publicized case, a major refused to fly a helicopter gunship.

--snip--

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/FC25Df04.html

---------------------------------------------

More fuel to Pakistan's simmering fire
By Syed Saleem Shahzad

KARACHI - Even though it has approximately 5,000 troops in the area, the Pakistani army has been moved into seeking a ceasefire with tribal fighters in South Waziristan on the border with Afghanistan.

Yet calls for a truce have already fallen on deaf ears, and the unrest that has followed the Pakistan army's entrance into the semi- autonomous tribal region in pursuit of al-Qaeda and Afghan resistance figures over a week ago can be expected to intensify, and spread to the other tribal areas, as well as other parts of the country.

Recent developments bode ill for any hopes for a peaceful and quick resolution to the current crisis that pits the Pakistani army on one side of the border and United States-led troops on the other side in Afghanistan in an operation designed to flush out al-Qaeda and Afghan resistance fighters who enjoy widespread support and shelter in the tribal regions.

Both the South and North Waziristan regions are inhabited by Wazir tribes, which have roots in Afghanistan. Indeed, the Mehsood and the Afridi are the only Pakistani tribes not to have ties with Afghan tribes. Yet the Mehsood have now warned Pakistani authorities to withdraw their forces immediately, or they will join hands with the Wazir currently fighting Pakistani troops. And already, Mehsood tribals in Pakistan's paramilitary forces have refused to fight against the Wazir.

The army has declined to give casualty figures, although local officials have said that about 30 soldiers and almost as many militants may have been killed since last Tuesday. Asia Times Online sources put the military's casualties as high as 70, with many captives.

--snip--

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/FC23Df04.html

[pinto]

1. thanks for the post, this dropped from US news after the al Zawahiri farce

[robertpaulsen]

2. Thanks for the "Spring Offensive" update

Especially the second article, which shows the absence of support for the actions of the Pakistanis by the clerics. I think Musharref's days are numbered. Regime change may come to Pakistan this year, especially if U.S. forces happen to spill over the border.

[Barrett808]

3. Another Bush catastrophe about to blow up in our faces

[Disturbed]

4. Not lookin' good..

It sure does seem that Bushco doesn't know what the freak they are doing. They essentially are buying the Pakistani Army via the forgiveness of loans of millions, our tax money btw but the results may be highly dubious.

[Auntie Bush]

6. I hope this Bush Administration

proves to the country that we don't want any more ignorant Presidents. The Oval Office is not the place to learn foreign policy.
We need a Kerry/Clark presidency.

[keithyboy]

5. Pakistan doing our heavy lifting is leaving the vulnerable to India

besides this, there will be civil war within Pakistan before you know it. Clarke is right...the Iraqi invasion has diverted much attention and resources from the war on terror and is serving to inflame the Islamic further.

[htuttle]

7. I think the civil war in Pakistan has already started

Sounds like all of 'Pashtustan' is starting to resist the central government. If the government sends troops to the other tribal regions, I'm betting they'll receive the same treatment they got in Waziristan.

I bet the troops they send to Pakistan for their 'spring offensive' will wind up fighting a considerably different battle than they planned to.

[theHandpuppet]

9. This could be the greatest danger of all

A Pakistan embroiled in Civil War will inevitably draw India into the fray.... Kashmir will erupt in all-out war... with Pakistan immersed in its own problems, the Taliban and Al Qaeda will gather even more support and strength, and it would only be a matter of time before they depose the govt in Kabul. We haven't enough troops there now to deal with that scenario

Of course, this is not to mention we are talking about a Pakistan well-stocked with nuclear weapons and numerous Taliban sympathizers within the Pakistani military and intelligence services. Would India launch a pre-emptive strike against Pakistan, backed by their Russian allies?

What a friggin', nightmarish mess!! Bush is leading this world straight to hell!

[pinto]

8. and what was that about those nukes Pakistan sells to the highest bidder?

[suegeo]

10. Here are a couple of interesting stories...

I was cruising the news and came across the Project for the New American Century being cited by the resistance. Also, the Pakistani government is talking about razing some homes.

That Bush sure is a uniter, not a divider...

STORY 1

Some in the resistance are complaining about the Project for the New American Century! (Can it be that they know more about the Fascist Bush junta that most Americans?!?!)

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_26-3-2004_pg1_1

Wana operation will continue, says Faisal
* Action not aimed at Pakistanis
* Opp walks out of NA, demands conference to discuss issue
By Shaukat Piracha

SNIP

The opposition members criticised the government’s handling of the issue and demanded that the operation should be ended and the issue should be solved through talks with the tribal elders.

Most members equated the Wana situation with the East Pakistan military action in 1971. They demanded the government form a special parliamentary committee on the issue and convene an All Parties Conference for a political solution. Mr Qadri said that the US was directly involved in the Wana operation. “The operation is part of the New American Century plan prepared by a group headed by the US vice president,” he said.

END SNIP

STORY 2
Also, I don't know how reliable the DAWN news service is, but it appears some who are resisting this are gonna get their homes plowed under...

http://www.dawn.com/2004/03/25/top2.htm

Homes of defiant tribesmen to be razed
By Ismail Khan
PESHAWAR, March 24: The government decided on Wednesday to go tough on the Yargulkhel tribe in the South Waziristan tribal region and demolish their houses for failing to flush out foreign militants and surrender their local supporters, sources told Dawn.