Wednesday, March 17, 2004

The spring offensive and the Afghan resistance

Pakistan was informed quite some time ago that US forces will be launching operations that will result in a major clashes with Afghan guerrillas, who are expected to try to melt into the Pakistani mountains. However, this is not the complete story. According to sources, different groups of trained jihadis left Karachi for Pakistan's tribal areas of South and North Waziristan about two weeks ago, where they have now taken up position for their own attacks on the US-led forces. These jihadis are said to have been trained for suicide attacks in Kashmir against Indian troops. Now their targets will be both Pakistani and US troops....

Pakistani authorities, meanwhile, have set up another operation in Wana to compliment the US's recently launched operation Mountain Storm. But in a dramatic development, Pakistani tribals have refused to comply with federal government orders and have jointly demanded the withdrawal of Pakistani forces. Tribal groups are even said to have threatened Pakistan that if tries to launch another operation there, war will be inevitable. As a result, the operation has come to a halt while Pakistan seeks ways of taking face-saving steps in front of US authorities.
  Asia Times article

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