Posted in Interviews, tagged Swat, Coalition, Taliban on May 26, 2008 | 5 Comments »
The Pakistani government’s peace negotiations with Taliban-linked militants has faced hesitation from U.S., British, and NATO officials, who fear a ceasefire will only allow these forces to regroup and increase attacks on foreign troops located across the border in Afghanistan. This sentiment was further exacerbated when Tehreek-e-Taliban leader Beitullah Mehsud told reporters Saturday that their [...]
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Posted in News Briefs, tagged Swat, Terrorism on April 22, 2008 | 3 Comments »
On Monday, a “leading Pakistani militant” was released in what the Associated Press called a “major step by the new government to talk peace with Islamic militants and break with President Pervez Musharraf’s policy of using force.” BBC News reported, “Maulana Sufi Mohammed was arrested in Pakistan in November 2001 after returning from Afghanistan. He [...]
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Posted in News Briefs, tagged Swat, Terrorism on February 29, 2008 | No Comments »
A suicide bombing occurred today at a funeral for a police official in Swat Valley, killing at least 35 people and wounding 50, according to the latest newswire updates. According to Pakistan’s The News, the blast struck just after the funeral prayers for the “martyred” police officer, Javed Iqbal, who was killed in a roadside [...]
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Posted in Backgrounders, tagged Terrorism, Swat, FATA on February 28, 2008 | 2 Comments »
PBS Frontline presented an insightful program entitled, “Pakistan: State of Emergency,” a look into the NWFP/FATA region which has largely become a battleground between Pakistani security forces and Pakistani Taliban militants. Frontline/World reporter David Montero visited Swat Valley, “once the crown jewel of Pakistan’s tourism trade,” but now a haven for these extremists. In the [...]
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Posted in News Briefs, tagged Kayani, Military, Swat on January 24, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Once again, security developments dominated press coverage of Pakistan on Thursday. According to Pakistan’s Daily Times and The News, the Chief of Army staff [the new head of the military after Musharraf took off his uniform], General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said that military operations, though part of the national effort, “are only a means to [...]
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