Pakistan: The War of Drones
Pervez Hoodbhoy March 10, 2008
#825 Posted by ijaz_gul on March 16, 2008 9:12:03 pm
Taliban welcome ANP’s offer for peace talks
Winning parties must stop pursuing pro-US policies | Terms Capital blast a revenge | Threaten action against Mehsud
Arif Yousafzai
PESHAWAR: Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the NWFP chief minister-designate Amir Haider Hoti has agreed to kick start negotiation process to restore normalcy in the settled parts of Frontier.
In a message, official spokesman of the local Taliban Maulvi Umer has welcomed the recent statements of chief minister-designate Amir Haider Hoti wherein the later has invited militants for peace talks.
Maulvi Umer said that Amir of the Taliban Baitullah Mehsud had explicitly expressed the desire to cooperate with the coalition government- in-waiting- of PPPP, PML-N and ANP in Centre and the PPPP and ANP coalition government in NWFP.
He said that Amir Haider Hoti had floated a reasonable suggestion to find solution to prevailing lawlessness in the country through peaceful means. "Tehrik Taliban will soberly respond to the ANP offer for peace talks," Maulvi Umer said. He urged the winning political parties to stop pursuing the pro-American policies being pursued by Musharraf. Maulvi Umer condemned an alleged statement of Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai wherein he had accused Taliban of playing the role to protect the interests of some foreign countries.
He said Taliban had always remained loyal to Pakistan and no genuine Taliban could think of destabilising Pakistan, which, he described as fortress of Islam. Tehrik Taliban Pakistan had been formed with a view to guard the frontiers of Pakistan and foil the nefarious designs of anti Muslim forces. He said that Taliban would never lay down arms unless American and NATO forces remain present on Afghanistan soil.
Maulvi Umer said all the disputes in the tribal areas were resolved through Jirga system and Taliban would send their representatives to negotiate peace with the government officials, adding that they would extend their full cooperation to secure peace. It would be pertinent to note here that ANP's nominee Hiyder Khan Hoti in his interview with BBC admitted that the Taliban too were a force. In his various statements and interviews he has been emphasising on the need for initiating talks with the Taliban. Meanwhile, the Taliban representative without accepting a direct responsibility the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has termed the Saturday blast in Islamabad a response to the ongoing operation in the tribal areas. The Taliban representative did not accept a direct responsibility for Saturday's blast in an Italian restaurant however he said it was a response of the killing of innocent civilians by the security forces. The security forces in the last ten days have killed five Taliban in Mohmand Agency, twelve civilians in Bajaur Agency and many others in Waziristan, he added. "The tribal people are not created out of stones and wood, they also are human beings. Revenge is taken for any unnecessary operation by the government in the tribal areas and the Islamabad blast too was an action taken in revenge". He warned the government to end operation in the tribal areas. "Otherwise such activities will increase," he said.
Earlier a local Taliban commander had offered the country's new government, to be formed by PPP and PML-N, a ceasefire and talks if it stopped supporting President Pervez Musharraf's pro-US policies.
Maulana Faqir Mohammad said the local Taliban could not trust the government "as long as Musharraf is around". The militants want better relations with the government but the new leadership should stop supporting Musharraf's pro-US policies and safeguarding American interests, he said. A durable peace will remain elusive as long as Pakistan continues to support American policies, Mohammed told a gathering at Mamoond sub-district in the Bajaur tribal agency on Saturday.
Mohammed also warned that there should not be any action against local Taliban supreme commander Baitullah Mehsud. "The government should desist from deliberately creating a law and order situation in the country," he said.
Mehsud, the leader of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, has been blamed by the government for a series of suicide and bomb attacks across the country, including the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto last year. He also criticised US plans to train Pakistani paramilitary forces to fight militants. "This is an insult to one of the world's best trained armies," he said, adding Pakistan's soil "would not be allowed to be used in support of the US-led forces".
The 37-year-old chief minister-designate Amir Haider Hoti has also extended hand of friendship to defiant cleric of Swat Maulana Fazalullah with a view to bring back peace to the scenic valley.
The youngest person to become a chief minister in Pakistan, Amir Haider Hoti, is optimistic that the militants' commander will reciprocate with the same zeal. The ANP government will face no hesitation in implementing Islamic Shariah in Swat district if the people of the valley floated a unanimous demand in this regard, Hoti said while responding to a question during a chat with this scribe at Shahi Mehman Khana.
Young Hoti seems to be a bit immature when one meets him but this first impression changes as soon as he starts expressing his views on important issues, ranging from provincial autonomy to controlling militancy in the country.
MPA-elect from PF-19 Mardan, Haider Hoti clinched the chief minister's slot following a tug of war between him and the former provincial president of ANP Bashir Ahmad Bilour, MPA-elect from PF-3 Peshawar.
Critics of ANP are of the view that Haider Hoti was awarded the chief minister's office just because he is the nephew of party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan, the grandson of late Khan Abdul Wali Khan and the son of former federal minister for communication Azam Hoti.
The role of family influence in Pakistani politics cannot be denied. Like Asif Ali Zardari, the most likely prime minister of the future, has become the head of PPPP as a result of the will of late Benazir Bhutto. However, Asif Ali Zardari has been behaving like a veteran politician ever since he took over as party head.
Haider Hoti might have been blessed by his highly influential kin in ANP but it would be quite unjustified to reject the young chief minister-designate without giving him considerable time as head of the province. His success and failure cannot be judged at this stage.
However, Haider Hoti will have to remain alert as his critics have already started monitoring his activities. As the administrator of the Bacha Khan Trust he has already proven himself as a responsible person.
Fluent in English and Urdu, Haider Hoti has a gigantic responsibility on his shoulders. On the one hand, he would have to struggle hard to get the rights of NWFP from the centre and rename the province as Pakhtoonkhawa or Pakhtoonistan, and on the other hand he would have to rid the people of the province of injustices meted out to them in police stations, courts, hospitals and other government offices.
Haider Hoti seems to be committed to negotiate peace with the Taliban leaders. He is quite clear in his thoughts regarding the existence of Taliban as a reality. He has repeatedly said that he would try to find out a negotiated settlement of the issue.
However, Hoti says his offer of talks with the militants should not be considered his weakness because he knows how to restore writ of the government.
About the steps taken by the caretaker government for enforcement of Shariah in Swat, Haider Hoti said his government was by no means bound to pursue the policies of the caretakers, saying the ANP government would review all the actions and the good things would be accepted with thanks.
His father Azam Hoti, once addressing public gathering in Takht Bhai, said had government not stopped shelling the innocent people in Swat, he would have no other option but to join the ranks of Taliban. Haider Hoti has been focused on talks with Taliban but he speaks nothing about the popular demand of requesting the army to vacate Swat valley as lawlessness gripped the Swat district when army was deployed there.
Talking to this correspondent via phone from his hometown Mardan, Amir Haider Hoti said that ANP believed in Jirga system, which was the only solution to enmities and problems in Pakhtoon society.
He welcomed the Taliban statement in which militants had appreciated (Hoti) offer for talks. However, Hoti said that keeping in view requirements of Pakhtoon traditional Jirga, ANP government and Taliban would have to keep "Teega" (Surety Bond) between and whoever violated the Teega would have to be made accountable.
Further asked as to what he meant from Teega in peace talks with Taliban, Haider said that it would mean that both sides would resort to complete ceasefire till the Jirga announced its verdict.
Haider further said that peace could only be restored by means of Jirgas and talks and for this purpose government was required to stop attacking Taliban and in response Taliban were required to stop explosions.
He made clear that whoever challenged writ of the government would be dealt with iron fist. Our desire for peace talks should not be considered as our weakness, Haider Hoti added.
He expressed his sorrow over the bomb attack on police mobile in Mardan and expressed sympathy with the families of victims of the blast.
It will not be easy for Haider Hoti to successfully negotiate army withdrawal from Swat valley with the military high command. According to a highly reliable official source, army does not want a ceasefire with militants because it would mean halting of millions of American dollars being paid to Pakistan government.
Haider Hoti cannot, however, be made held accountable if he fails to expel army from Swat because it was it was his predecessor Akram Khan Durrani, whose party is the so-called standard-bearer of Islam and supporter of Taliban, who brought army to Swat and gave his consent in the National Security Council meeting in this regard.
The Taliban Amir in Bajaur Agency and Naib Amir of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan Maulvi Faqir seems to be unhappy with the policies of ANP and he has publicly said that he could sit and talk with ANP if it brings changes to its attitude and pro-American policies.
However, Maulvi Faqir has openly said that he was ready to sit with the PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif as according to the Taliban commander Nawaz Sharif has never uttered a single word against the Taliban.
Haider Hoti will have to do his utmost to make himself acceptable to everyone, whether they are Taliban or his political opponents if he wants to rule the hearts.
http://thepost.com.pk/Ba_ShortNews.aspx?fbshortid=2813&bcatid=14&bstat us=Current&fcatid=14&fstatus=Current
Winning parties must stop pursuing pro-US policies | Terms Capital blast a revenge | Threaten action against Mehsud
Arif Yousafzai
PESHAWAR: Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the NWFP chief minister-designate Amir Haider Hoti has agreed to kick start negotiation process to restore normalcy in the settled parts of Frontier.
In a message, official spokesman of the local Taliban Maulvi Umer has welcomed the recent statements of chief minister-designate Amir Haider Hoti wherein the later has invited militants for peace talks.
Maulvi Umer said that Amir of the Taliban Baitullah Mehsud had explicitly expressed the desire to cooperate with the coalition government- in-waiting- of PPPP, PML-N and ANP in Centre and the PPPP and ANP coalition government in NWFP.
He said that Amir Haider Hoti had floated a reasonable suggestion to find solution to prevailing lawlessness in the country through peaceful means. "Tehrik Taliban will soberly respond to the ANP offer for peace talks," Maulvi Umer said. He urged the winning political parties to stop pursuing the pro-American policies being pursued by Musharraf. Maulvi Umer condemned an alleged statement of Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai wherein he had accused Taliban of playing the role to protect the interests of some foreign countries.
He said Taliban had always remained loyal to Pakistan and no genuine Taliban could think of destabilising Pakistan, which, he described as fortress of Islam. Tehrik Taliban Pakistan had been formed with a view to guard the frontiers of Pakistan and foil the nefarious designs of anti Muslim forces. He said that Taliban would never lay down arms unless American and NATO forces remain present on Afghanistan soil.
Maulvi Umer said all the disputes in the tribal areas were resolved through Jirga system and Taliban would send their representatives to negotiate peace with the government officials, adding that they would extend their full cooperation to secure peace. It would be pertinent to note here that ANP's nominee Hiyder Khan Hoti in his interview with BBC admitted that the Taliban too were a force. In his various statements and interviews he has been emphasising on the need for initiating talks with the Taliban. Meanwhile, the Taliban representative without accepting a direct responsibility the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has termed the Saturday blast in Islamabad a response to the ongoing operation in the tribal areas. The Taliban representative did not accept a direct responsibility for Saturday's blast in an Italian restaurant however he said it was a response of the killing of innocent civilians by the security forces. The security forces in the last ten days have killed five Taliban in Mohmand Agency, twelve civilians in Bajaur Agency and many others in Waziristan, he added. "The tribal people are not created out of stones and wood, they also are human beings. Revenge is taken for any unnecessary operation by the government in the tribal areas and the Islamabad blast too was an action taken in revenge". He warned the government to end operation in the tribal areas. "Otherwise such activities will increase," he said.
Earlier a local Taliban commander had offered the country's new government, to be formed by PPP and PML-N, a ceasefire and talks if it stopped supporting President Pervez Musharraf's pro-US policies.
Maulana Faqir Mohammad said the local Taliban could not trust the government "as long as Musharraf is around". The militants want better relations with the government but the new leadership should stop supporting Musharraf's pro-US policies and safeguarding American interests, he said. A durable peace will remain elusive as long as Pakistan continues to support American policies, Mohammed told a gathering at Mamoond sub-district in the Bajaur tribal agency on Saturday.
Mohammed also warned that there should not be any action against local Taliban supreme commander Baitullah Mehsud. "The government should desist from deliberately creating a law and order situation in the country," he said.
Mehsud, the leader of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, has been blamed by the government for a series of suicide and bomb attacks across the country, including the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto last year. He also criticised US plans to train Pakistani paramilitary forces to fight militants. "This is an insult to one of the world's best trained armies," he said, adding Pakistan's soil "would not be allowed to be used in support of the US-led forces".
The 37-year-old chief minister-designate Amir Haider Hoti has also extended hand of friendship to defiant cleric of Swat Maulana Fazalullah with a view to bring back peace to the scenic valley.
The youngest person to become a chief minister in Pakistan, Amir Haider Hoti, is optimistic that the militants' commander will reciprocate with the same zeal. The ANP government will face no hesitation in implementing Islamic Shariah in Swat district if the people of the valley floated a unanimous demand in this regard, Hoti said while responding to a question during a chat with this scribe at Shahi Mehman Khana.
Young Hoti seems to be a bit immature when one meets him but this first impression changes as soon as he starts expressing his views on important issues, ranging from provincial autonomy to controlling militancy in the country.
MPA-elect from PF-19 Mardan, Haider Hoti clinched the chief minister's slot following a tug of war between him and the former provincial president of ANP Bashir Ahmad Bilour, MPA-elect from PF-3 Peshawar.
Critics of ANP are of the view that Haider Hoti was awarded the chief minister's office just because he is the nephew of party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan, the grandson of late Khan Abdul Wali Khan and the son of former federal minister for communication Azam Hoti.
The role of family influence in Pakistani politics cannot be denied. Like Asif Ali Zardari, the most likely prime minister of the future, has become the head of PPPP as a result of the will of late Benazir Bhutto. However, Asif Ali Zardari has been behaving like a veteran politician ever since he took over as party head.
Haider Hoti might have been blessed by his highly influential kin in ANP but it would be quite unjustified to reject the young chief minister-designate without giving him considerable time as head of the province. His success and failure cannot be judged at this stage.
However, Haider Hoti will have to remain alert as his critics have already started monitoring his activities. As the administrator of the Bacha Khan Trust he has already proven himself as a responsible person.
Fluent in English and Urdu, Haider Hoti has a gigantic responsibility on his shoulders. On the one hand, he would have to struggle hard to get the rights of NWFP from the centre and rename the province as Pakhtoonkhawa or Pakhtoonistan, and on the other hand he would have to rid the people of the province of injustices meted out to them in police stations, courts, hospitals and other government offices.
Haider Hoti seems to be committed to negotiate peace with the Taliban leaders. He is quite clear in his thoughts regarding the existence of Taliban as a reality. He has repeatedly said that he would try to find out a negotiated settlement of the issue.
However, Hoti says his offer of talks with the militants should not be considered his weakness because he knows how to restore writ of the government.
About the steps taken by the caretaker government for enforcement of Shariah in Swat, Haider Hoti said his government was by no means bound to pursue the policies of the caretakers, saying the ANP government would review all the actions and the good things would be accepted with thanks.
His father Azam Hoti, once addressing public gathering in Takht Bhai, said had government not stopped shelling the innocent people in Swat, he would have no other option but to join the ranks of Taliban. Haider Hoti has been focused on talks with Taliban but he speaks nothing about the popular demand of requesting the army to vacate Swat valley as lawlessness gripped the Swat district when army was deployed there.
Talking to this correspondent via phone from his hometown Mardan, Amir Haider Hoti said that ANP believed in Jirga system, which was the only solution to enmities and problems in Pakhtoon society.
He welcomed the Taliban statement in which militants had appreciated (Hoti) offer for talks. However, Hoti said that keeping in view requirements of Pakhtoon traditional Jirga, ANP government and Taliban would have to keep "Teega" (Surety Bond) between and whoever violated the Teega would have to be made accountable.
Further asked as to what he meant from Teega in peace talks with Taliban, Haider said that it would mean that both sides would resort to complete ceasefire till the Jirga announced its verdict.
Haider further said that peace could only be restored by means of Jirgas and talks and for this purpose government was required to stop attacking Taliban and in response Taliban were required to stop explosions.
He made clear that whoever challenged writ of the government would be dealt with iron fist. Our desire for peace talks should not be considered as our weakness, Haider Hoti added.
He expressed his sorrow over the bomb attack on police mobile in Mardan and expressed sympathy with the families of victims of the blast.
It will not be easy for Haider Hoti to successfully negotiate army withdrawal from Swat valley with the military high command. According to a highly reliable official source, army does not want a ceasefire with militants because it would mean halting of millions of American dollars being paid to Pakistan government.
Haider Hoti cannot, however, be made held accountable if he fails to expel army from Swat because it was it was his predecessor Akram Khan Durrani, whose party is the so-called standard-bearer of Islam and supporter of Taliban, who brought army to Swat and gave his consent in the National Security Council meeting in this regard.
The Taliban Amir in Bajaur Agency and Naib Amir of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan Maulvi Faqir seems to be unhappy with the policies of ANP and he has publicly said that he could sit and talk with ANP if it brings changes to its attitude and pro-American policies.
However, Maulvi Faqir has openly said that he was ready to sit with the PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif as according to the Taliban commander Nawaz Sharif has never uttered a single word against the Taliban.
Haider Hoti will have to do his utmost to make himself acceptable to everyone, whether they are Taliban or his political opponents if he wants to rule the hearts.
http://thepost.com.pk/Ba_ShortNews.aspx?fbshortid=2813&bcatid=14&bstat us=Current&fcatid=14&fstatus=Current
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#824 Posted by ijaz_gul on March 16, 2008 9:07:30 pm
There is a mosaic being put togather very quickly.
.... Benazir contacted Taliban and was murdered...
.... Baitullah willing to talk to new government....
.... Taliban Commander Maulvi Umar in contact with ANP....
.... Arrest warrants of Baitullah issued for murder of BB...
.... US changing strategy in Tribal Areas........
.... US also using Baghram Air Base to fly predators into Pakistan other than Shamsi Pakistan.
.... Suicide bombers on the loose in Punjab...
.... Missionary schools may become targets of suicide bombers.....
.... All this in the midst of a likely new government?
Any Ideas?
.... Benazir contacted Taliban and was murdered...
.... Baitullah willing to talk to new government....
.... Taliban Commander Maulvi Umar in contact with ANP....
.... Arrest warrants of Baitullah issued for murder of BB...
.... US changing strategy in Tribal Areas........
.... US also using Baghram Air Base to fly predators into Pakistan other than Shamsi Pakistan.
.... Suicide bombers on the loose in Punjab...
.... Missionary schools may become targets of suicide bombers.....
.... All this in the midst of a likely new government?
Any Ideas?
#822 Posted by HP on March 16, 2008 8:50:05 pm
Zee
It was not the year that made me jump, it was the allegation itself. You seems to forget what you wrote there!
It was not the year that made me jump, it was the allegation itself. You seems to forget what you wrote there!
#821 Posted by HP on March 16, 2008 8:48:51 pm
#820 Posted by zeemax
"If you say it wasn't ANP, who then?"
You tendency to make everything a conspiracy theory is amazing! how the hell would I know who did it. Do you know who ordered Laiquat's murder?
The government was supposed to publish the investigation report and take the case to the court. It never did so the murder is still a mystery. I doubt that NAP people did that because there was no reason for them to kill him!
He was a small fry and had nothing to do with what Bhutto and the army did to the NAP government in NWFP and Baluchistan.
"If you say it wasn't ANP, who then?"
You tendency to make everything a conspiracy theory is amazing! how the hell would I know who did it. Do you know who ordered Laiquat's murder?
The government was supposed to publish the investigation report and take the case to the court. It never did so the murder is still a mystery. I doubt that NAP people did that because there was no reason for them to kill him!
He was a small fry and had nothing to do with what Bhutto and the army did to the NAP government in NWFP and Baluchistan.
#820 Posted by zeemax on March 16, 2008 8:39:07 pm
#817 Posted by HP,
Yaar HP I said "I think 1972 0r 1973..." Why jump so high because I got the year wrong?
Anyway, it is mostly accepted in NWFP that ANP killed Hayat Sherpao - and the blood feud continues till this day. If you say it wasn't ANP, who then?
Yaar HP I said "I think 1972 0r 1973..." Why jump so high because I got the year wrong?
Anyway, it is mostly accepted in NWFP that ANP killed Hayat Sherpao - and the blood feud continues till this day. If you say it wasn't ANP, who then?
#819 Posted by bjkumar on March 16, 2008 6:11:52 pm
Re: # 814
Rats!
Or perhaps I should say...
Oh my, oh my!
Rats!
Or perhaps I should say...
Oh my, oh my!
#818 Posted by arjun_5 on March 16, 2008 4:27:54 pm
seriously...is the paki government stupid(stupider than your average inbred paki) or does it think the whole paki junta is stupid?
20 killed in S Waziristan missile strike
Foreigners among dead
By Irfan Barki & Akhtar Shehzad
WANA/ TANK: A cross-border missile attack on the house of a tribal elder left 20 people dead and five others injured in Pir Bagh area of Kot Shah Nawaz, south of the agency headquarters, Wana, in the restive South Waziristan Agency (SWA) on Sunday.
The six missiles landed in and around the house of Noorullah Wazir, eyewitnesses said. The attack claimed 20 lives, including a few foreigners, whose identity could not be ascertained. The incident that took place at around 3.30 pm completely destroyed the targeted house.
Official and tribal sources claimed that the attack was carried out from across the border and aimed at an alleged militants’ hideout, the authenticity of which was established after the killing of some foreigners in the attack.
Top military spokesman Major-General Athar Abbas told The News that around six explosions were heard in the area but said, at the moment, he could not confirm if it was a missile attack or the number of casualties in the incident. He said a fact-finding team had been sent to the area to probe into the incident.
However, private TV channels, quoting some unidentified eyewitnesses, reported that the attack was carried out by a drone. It is worth mentioning here that militants in South Waziristan are led by a pro-government commander Maulvi Nazir, who played a major role in expelling the Uzbek militants from the tribal agency. Under his command, the area remained peaceful since November 16, when he announced a unilateral ceasefire with the security forces.
He was reciprocated and no tussle has been witnessed in the agency since then, but at the same time attacks from across the border have been causing unrest from time-to-time. Twelve people were killed in a similar pre-dawn attack on a house in Kaloosha village in SWA on February 29 last.
Senior government functionaries based in Wana as well as sources among the militants having links with Arab fighters had confirmed to The News that majority of those killed in the attack were Arabs, Afghans and Jihadis from the Punjab.
While the militants claimed a pilotless spy plane had fired three missiles on the house, which also caused damage to three adjacent houses, DG ISPR Maj-Gen Athar Abbas had claimed that the blast was caused by explosives dumped in the house. He had ruled out the possibility of an attack by any foreign aircraft.
The February 19 incident was the second attack of its kind in the area inhabited by Ahmadzai Wazir tribe in South Waziristan. In 2004, militant commander Nek Muhammad, along with five other tribesmen, was killed in a similar air strike reportedly carried out by a CIA-operated Predator aircraft.
Local militants had admitted that the place was used as a training facility and was frequently visited by the Arab fighters and Mujahideen from the Islamic countries. He felt it was possible that their opponents, possibly Afghan refugees living in the area but having affiliation with the Americans and the Northern Alliance, had passed on information about their activities.
Militants believed that the Arab fighters were the main target of such missile attacks as they used to visit the place frequently and had recently attended crucial meetings. It may be recalled that senior al-Qaeda commander Abu Laith al-Libbi was killed in a similar attack on a house in Khushali Tori Khel village of Mirali town in the North Waziristan Agency on January 29. However, American and Pakistani officials are still tight-lipped about the incident and have not officially confirmed Al-Libbi's killing.
20 killed in S Waziristan missile strike
Foreigners among dead
By Irfan Barki & Akhtar Shehzad
WANA/ TANK: A cross-border missile attack on the house of a tribal elder left 20 people dead and five others injured in Pir Bagh area of Kot Shah Nawaz, south of the agency headquarters, Wana, in the restive South Waziristan Agency (SWA) on Sunday.
The six missiles landed in and around the house of Noorullah Wazir, eyewitnesses said. The attack claimed 20 lives, including a few foreigners, whose identity could not be ascertained. The incident that took place at around 3.30 pm completely destroyed the targeted house.
Official and tribal sources claimed that the attack was carried out from across the border and aimed at an alleged militants’ hideout, the authenticity of which was established after the killing of some foreigners in the attack.
Top military spokesman Major-General Athar Abbas told The News that around six explosions were heard in the area but said, at the moment, he could not confirm if it was a missile attack or the number of casualties in the incident. He said a fact-finding team had been sent to the area to probe into the incident.
However, private TV channels, quoting some unidentified eyewitnesses, reported that the attack was carried out by a drone. It is worth mentioning here that militants in South Waziristan are led by a pro-government commander Maulvi Nazir, who played a major role in expelling the Uzbek militants from the tribal agency. Under his command, the area remained peaceful since November 16, when he announced a unilateral ceasefire with the security forces.
He was reciprocated and no tussle has been witnessed in the agency since then, but at the same time attacks from across the border have been causing unrest from time-to-time. Twelve people were killed in a similar pre-dawn attack on a house in Kaloosha village in SWA on February 29 last.
Senior government functionaries based in Wana as well as sources among the militants having links with Arab fighters had confirmed to The News that majority of those killed in the attack were Arabs, Afghans and Jihadis from the Punjab.
While the militants claimed a pilotless spy plane had fired three missiles on the house, which also caused damage to three adjacent houses, DG ISPR Maj-Gen Athar Abbas had claimed that the blast was caused by explosives dumped in the house. He had ruled out the possibility of an attack by any foreign aircraft.
The February 19 incident was the second attack of its kind in the area inhabited by Ahmadzai Wazir tribe in South Waziristan. In 2004, militant commander Nek Muhammad, along with five other tribesmen, was killed in a similar air strike reportedly carried out by a CIA-operated Predator aircraft.
Local militants had admitted that the place was used as a training facility and was frequently visited by the Arab fighters and Mujahideen from the Islamic countries. He felt it was possible that their opponents, possibly Afghan refugees living in the area but having affiliation with the Americans and the Northern Alliance, had passed on information about their activities.
Militants believed that the Arab fighters were the main target of such missile attacks as they used to visit the place frequently and had recently attended crucial meetings. It may be recalled that senior al-Qaeda commander Abu Laith al-Libbi was killed in a similar attack on a house in Khushali Tori Khel village of Mirali town in the North Waziristan Agency on January 29. However, American and Pakistani officials are still tight-lipped about the incident and have not officially confirmed Al-Libbi's killing.
#817 Posted by HP on March 16, 2008 3:52:11 pm
#736 Posted by zeemax
“the NAP student wing named Pakhtoon Students Federation killed Hayat Mohammed Khan Sherpao through a bomb planted under the podium when he arrived to address Peshawar University students in I think 1972 or 1973.”
This is flat out lie! He was assassinated on 16th of Feb, 1975, the NAP assemblies in NWFP and Balochistan were already dismissed and the army action had started in Balochistan in 1974.
Asfandyar Wali Khan was named as the primary accused by the Bhutto government. Afrasiab Khattak, now ANP President for NWFP and at that time, President of the Pushtoon Student Federation was also a named accused.
People who know them both also know that these two guys have never even swatted a fly in their lives. Hayat Sherpao’s murder was used for witch-hunt. Both asfandyar and Afrasiab had to leave for Afghanistan and they did not come back until the cases were withdrawn. (Perhaps asfand was arrested on his return but released quickly!)
Even Khan Ghaffar Khan, who was still in Pakistan after his return from Kabul in 1972, had to leave again along with Ajmal Khattak a former leader of the ANP.
“the NAP student wing named Pakhtoon Students Federation killed Hayat Mohammed Khan Sherpao through a bomb planted under the podium when he arrived to address Peshawar University students in I think 1972 or 1973.”
This is flat out lie! He was assassinated on 16th of Feb, 1975, the NAP assemblies in NWFP and Balochistan were already dismissed and the army action had started in Balochistan in 1974.
Asfandyar Wali Khan was named as the primary accused by the Bhutto government. Afrasiab Khattak, now ANP President for NWFP and at that time, President of the Pushtoon Student Federation was also a named accused.
People who know them both also know that these two guys have never even swatted a fly in their lives. Hayat Sherpao’s murder was used for witch-hunt. Both asfandyar and Afrasiab had to leave for Afghanistan and they did not come back until the cases were withdrawn. (Perhaps asfand was arrested on his return but released quickly!)
Even Khan Ghaffar Khan, who was still in Pakistan after his return from Kabul in 1972, had to leave again along with Ajmal Khattak a former leader of the ANP.
#816 Posted by HP on March 16, 2008 3:29:46 pm
I posted this on a thread (stuka) on UP!
I think it would be appropriate to post it here too.
“I would only ask you to look at the considerable Pakistani literature that itself points to the rising tide of religiosity in Pakistan.”
Thanks Stuka,
That is precisely the point I was trying to make in the Nawaiwaqt article.
The Punjab is not awash in some puritanical desire for the rule of law in Pakistan. It is the issue of the U-turn and overall mush’s support of the US.
Things look really good for the democratic forces now, but the reality of the terrorism and dealing with the terror, would bring even the politicians the wrath of the people as politicians can’t fight terrorism without the US help.
The failure of the politicians or not molding the public opinion in the right direction would result in another sympathy vote for either the mullah or the army!
More than the US the terrorists in Pakistan are now Pakistani issue and the state has to deal with them.
The army was reluctant to make the decision to go after the terrorists as it impacted Army’s constituency in Pakistan.
The politicians would not have any excuses and on top of that they will not get cooperation from the army.
As I said in the article: many traps are being set and the politicians at the helm are inexperienced!
Just for you to ponder at some other time.
One reason NS, aitazaz and Zardari are embracing the CJ issues is: it gives them cover and if the CJ is reinstated, they will have more goodwill in the Punjab to deal with the terrorism and the FATA and the US help issues!
I think it would be appropriate to post it here too.
“I would only ask you to look at the considerable Pakistani literature that itself points to the rising tide of religiosity in Pakistan.”
Thanks Stuka,
That is precisely the point I was trying to make in the Nawaiwaqt article.
The Punjab is not awash in some puritanical desire for the rule of law in Pakistan. It is the issue of the U-turn and overall mush’s support of the US.
Things look really good for the democratic forces now, but the reality of the terrorism and dealing with the terror, would bring even the politicians the wrath of the people as politicians can’t fight terrorism without the US help.
The failure of the politicians or not molding the public opinion in the right direction would result in another sympathy vote for either the mullah or the army!
More than the US the terrorists in Pakistan are now Pakistani issue and the state has to deal with them.
The army was reluctant to make the decision to go after the terrorists as it impacted Army’s constituency in Pakistan.
The politicians would not have any excuses and on top of that they will not get cooperation from the army.
As I said in the article: many traps are being set and the politicians at the helm are inexperienced!
Just for you to ponder at some other time.
One reason NS, aitazaz and Zardari are embracing the CJ issues is: it gives them cover and if the CJ is reinstated, they will have more goodwill in the Punjab to deal with the terrorism and the FATA and the US help issues!
#815 Posted by HP on March 16, 2008 2:43:59 pm
#806 Posted by SR
“My friend you take yourself too damn seriously. This anonymous website is for bored middle aged desi men (who most likely don't get enough nukkie) to get on line and jerk off hot air and smoke”
Hmmm… Who takes the site seriously now? Do I post lengthy stories about how the US economic system is falling under another nic in ilogs? If you don’t take this site seriously then why post ridiculous stuff as your analysis showing how savvy (hehehe) financial analyst you are? Oh, perhaps that is your way of having fun!
Btw SR,
Seriously or not, would really appreciate your take on what Pakistan establishment is? Who is part of that and who is not? Let us just figure out you can really seriously understand an issue or not!
“My friend you take yourself too damn seriously. This anonymous website is for bored middle aged desi men (who most likely don't get enough nukkie) to get on line and jerk off hot air and smoke”
Hmmm… Who takes the site seriously now? Do I post lengthy stories about how the US economic system is falling under another nic in ilogs? If you don’t take this site seriously then why post ridiculous stuff as your analysis showing how savvy (hehehe) financial analyst you are? Oh, perhaps that is your way of having fun!
Btw SR,
Seriously or not, would really appreciate your take on what Pakistan establishment is? Who is part of that and who is not? Let us just figure out you can really seriously understand an issue or not!
#814 Posted by HP on March 16, 2008 2:08:01 pm
#808 Posted by bjkumar on March 16, 2008 12:33:28 pm
#788 HP (the moorakh)
“Did it occur to you a problem at all that the date on that piece was MARCH 4?”
Did it occur to you that you are a complete idiot for crying out loud! Hehehehe!
#803 Posted by tahmed32
#800 Posted by Dash_Dot
#799 Posted by bulleya
Guys got to figure out spoof from the reality. My comment at the end had a clue. That is a spoof!
#796 Posted by rf786
“Apologies for spoiling your booze party, but your source has serious errors or should I say is totally bogus dude.”
I don’t know who deserve that but I sure can see that you can't even figure out a simple thing!
#793 Posted by zeemax
“This article appeared on the circuits a while ago but is totally false.”
Thanks Zeemax for figuring that out! I guess you still had your wits together!
For others read my comment at the bottom of my previous post!
#788 Posted by HP
“It is coming soon…In the mean time enjoy it!”
Thank you guys for spoiling the fun by not figuring this out! You can be taken for a ride in a jiffy! This would have been all over the media if he had resigned.
Btw, Asif Raza Mir used to work in movies in the70-80s period perhaps too old for mushy’s daughter!
Now read news from the same site…. And comment on that!
http://english.ohmynews.com/ArticleView/article_view.asp?
article_clas s=3&no=382076&rel_no=1
#813 Posted by bjkumar on March 16, 2008 2:02:50 pm
#812 Dash_Dot
Generally speaking, desis are lazy.
But HP is more lazy than the other desis, that's all!
The take-home lesson is - never trust HP's "sources" implicitly!
Now, come to think of it - wasn't it HP who stated he had a "source" inside Zardari's inner circle?
Generally speaking, desis are lazy.
But HP is more lazy than the other desis, that's all!
The take-home lesson is - never trust HP's "sources" implicitly!
Now, come to think of it - wasn't it HP who stated he had a "source" inside Zardari's inner circle?
#812 Posted by Dash_Dot on March 16, 2008 1:51:05 pm
Re: # 808beej, why you do want to play the spoil-sport...why not let HP have his day in the sun(T)
if you are not getting enuf nookie....pliss contact SR and he will guide you and provide the GPS system as well....
if you are not getting enuf nookie....pliss contact SR and he will guide you and provide the GPS system as well....
#811 Posted by arjun_5 on March 16, 2008 1:07:56 pm
#801 Posted by zeemax on March 16, 2008 10:47:10 am
why is NATO whacking pakis in pakiland? I thought, because you told us, pakiland had the US over a barrel and used this influence to fire afghan ministers at will..
why is NATO whacking pakis in pakiland? I thought, because you told us, pakiland had the US over a barrel and used this influence to fire afghan ministers at will..
#810 Posted by SR on March 16, 2008 1:02:29 pm
Re: # 809 ["... By your argument, the US forces should not only have decimated Iraq in 1991, but also should have gone after Iran and Syria too..."]
No, no, no, Malik sahib, no. Hold your horses. Please go back and read what I said. You are taking this too far as an argument.
I was simply pointing out a statement you made. And trying to show that it was over-zealous rhetoric, even though I basically agree with the gist of what you were saying.
You had written, obviously for its rhetoric effect, that no winning army in history had ever raised the flag of peace, or similar words. It was just that specific stement that I was pin-pointing and giving two examples of winning armies that offered unilateral peace ... of course, we all know, their objectives had been achieved, that's not the point. They were the victors and they sued for peace. You had written that such a thing never happened in all of history.
cheers,
...SR
No, no, no, Malik sahib, no. Hold your horses. Please go back and read what I said. You are taking this too far as an argument.
I was simply pointing out a statement you made. And trying to show that it was over-zealous rhetoric, even though I basically agree with the gist of what you were saying.
You had written, obviously for its rhetoric effect, that no winning army in history had ever raised the flag of peace, or similar words. It was just that specific stement that I was pin-pointing and giving two examples of winning armies that offered unilateral peace ... of course, we all know, their objectives had been achieved, that's not the point. They were the victors and they sued for peace. You had written that such a thing never happened in all of history.
cheers,
...SR