Pakistan 'Surge' Against the Taliban Pakistan Pressure From Abroad and a Series of Attacks at Home Have Galvanised the Pakistan Army Into Action - This Time, Taking the Fight to South Waziristan
Sunday Herald › October 19, 2009
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Summary
AFTER a fortnight of vicious terrorist attacks in three of Pakistan's great cities - Lahore, Peshawar and Rawalpindi - Pakistani forces went into action yesterday against suspected Taliban and al-Qaeda targets in the tribal areas of South Waziristan. Government sources admitted yesterday that 28,000 ground troops backed by special forces, aircraft and artillery have moved into the attack in an operation which bears all the marks of a military "surge" aimed at defeating an estimated 10,000 insurgents in this troublesome region. This is almost four times larger than the British force currently fighting in Helmand Province.
According to local reports, two Pakistani infantry divisions are involved in the current fighting. Troops are thought to be closing in on three fronts - towards the northern town of Razmak, between North and South Waziristan; from Jandola in the east; and from Shakai in the west. Other targets include Makeen, Spinkai Raghzai and Tiarza.See the full content of this document
Extract
Pakistan 'Surge' Against the Taliban Pakistan Pressure From Abroad and a Series of Attacks at Home Have Galvanised the Pakistan Army Into Action - This Time, Taking the Fight to South Waziristan
The operations were ordered as a result of a string of brazen attacks which caused 170 casualties and humiliated the security forces by targeting key government buildings. Before yesterday's assault began, Interior Minister Rehman Malik warned that unless the terrorists were stopped in their heartlands, Pakistan would face meltdown.
"The enemy has started a guerrilla war, " he said on Friday. "These attacks are a moment of reflection for us - b...See the full content of this document
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