Heavy Fighting Continues As Pakistan Army Battles Taliban

[Nikos]

http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-05-01-voa43.cfm

Pakistan's military said its forces have killed 55 to 60 Taliban militants in the last 24 hours in heavy fighting in Taliban-held areas of the northwest.

While Pakistani forces captured the main town in Buner hours after the offensive began on Tuesday, troops continue to battle Taliban fighters for control of high strategic positions.

Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said militants are using a variety of powerful weapons, including anti-aircraft machine guns bolted to trucks, mortars and improvised bombs to try to block one of the main routes into Buner.

"Fierce fighting took place at the northern area of Ambela Pass. The forces came across a lot of IEDs, prepared suicide vehicles, suicide motorcycles, individual suicide bombers and a group of 70 to 80 militants occupying the heights of Ambela Pass," he said.

Groups of nearly 150 militants have overrun security checkpoints and police stations during the fighting. The military has reported just a few casualties among police and paramilitary troops, but dozens of security forces have been reported kidnapped by militants. The military said most of them have been released, unharmed.

More than 100 militants have been reported killed since the operation began Sunday.

In Dir, which the army said it took control of days ago, fighting continues. General Abbas said troops killed as many as 10 suspected militants Friday who were trying to enter Dir from Bajaur, the neighboring tribal agency.

Much of the fighting is now focused on Buner, where the military has relied heavily on airstrikes. The army has provided little information on civilian casualties. Previous counterinsurgency campaigns in neighboring Swat failed in part when local support for the operations eroded because of civilian deaths.

Looks like the has hit the fan in Pakistan. Hopefully the Pakistanos can continue their crackdown and emerge victorious. NATO forces should provide assistance whenever requested. This has to end NOW.

[The Dude]

Pakistan shows commitment to solve this problem. We should honor that commitment with military support.

[The Alcotroll]

Pakistan shows commitment to solve this problem. We should honor that commitment with military support.

I can't think of a better way of trebling the Taliban's available manpower and popular support overnight.

Crack on chaps.

[Norpheus]

Can't USA provide support with some nasty napalm bombs?

[Gertrudius]

Can't USA provide support with some nasty napalm bombs?

Thanks for the well thought out answer committed to generating an amicable discussion on the subject.

I'm extremely pleased that the Pakistani military has finally deigned to step into the conflict. It's efforts are admirable. But I think that the US should stay away from the conflict, because we don't need to add anymore fuel to the Taliban's fire, and having to deal with nationalist Pakistani insurgencies would really be a waste of time and manpower.

Take it easy,

[Norpheus]

Thanks for the well thought out answer committed to generating an amicable discussion on the subject.

I actually think it's a great idea and actually generates to the topic- Should USA assist or not?

[Gertrudius]

I actually think it's a great idea and actually generates to the topic- Should USA assist or not?

In that case, since you were being serious, why do you think that napalm would be effective in counter insurgency tactics? Also, are you referring to napalm bombs, or to use of flamethrowers?

Either way, I must note that napalm is a rather indiscriminate weapon, and it seems to be a bad idea to use it in a counter insurgency role, especially in populated areas. If the US was to help, it would be far more efficient to use special forces as a quick reaction force in support of the Pakistani military, which would incur a less severe reaction from the local population then the use of napalm or moving in large scale infantry units.

Just for the record though, I'm not advocating this, but pointing out how it would be a more efficient means of assisting that has less of a possibility of exacerbating the local sentiment about the US, and therefore preventing further support to the Taliban.

Take it easy,

[Norpheus]

In that case, since you were being serious, why do you think that napalm would be effective in counter insurgency tactics? Also, are you referring to napalm bombs, or to use of flamethrowers?

Either way, I must note that napalm is a rather indiscriminate weapon, and it seems to be a bad idea to use it in a counter insurgency role, especially in populated areas. If the US was to help, it would be far more efficient to use special forces as a quick reaction force in support of the Pakistani military, which would incur a less severe reaction from the local population then the use of napalm or moving in large scale infantry units.

Just for the record though, I'm not advocating this, but pointing out how it would be a more efficient means of assisting that has less of a possibility of exacerbating the local sentiment about the US, and therefore preventing further support to the Taliban.

Take it easy,

Don't they use a special kind of napalm or other explosives to clear out the nests and caves those talibans got in the mountains? Not sure though.
Ofcurse infantry support should be given aswell, Those talibans are stubborn enough to survive airstrikes.

[Kiljan Arslan]

I hope this continues because I really really do not want to see my country or any other country have to intervene there.

[Barry Goldwater]

Who shall prevail here, the creator or his abominable creation?

I hope we don't have to shove our noses down there too

[IndianPrince]

Finally ! Its a relief for sure. Lets see how this goes !

Prince

[IndianPrince]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/U...ow/4473064.cms

Wow petraeus is getting pretty strict. A good sign for sure. Shall help Pakistan act faster.

Prince

[Central Asian Qaghan]

A bunch of anti-Pakistan bias and nationalist indian spewing from IndianPrince as always.

Pakistan has the will and the power to fight, destory and kill both the Taliban and India should either try to even attack us. Pakistan is god's nation and inshallah we shall emerge victorious against this evil foe and its RAW backers. Pakistan Zindabad!

[danzig]

A bunch of anti-Pakistan bias and nationalist indian spewing from IndianPrince as always.

oooooh the irony all the man has done is cheered Pakistan on and posted a news link article....and THAT is nationalistic anti pakistan bias?!

Pakistan has the will and the power to fight, destory and kill both the Taliban and India should either try to even attack us. Pakistan is god's nation and inshallah we shall emerge victorious against this evil foe and its RAW backers. Pakistan Zindabad!

Again with the India thing...get a goddamn grip sheesh. And no sorry your country has shown very little will and inept power thus far in combating the Taliban so dont even go there thinking could handle India...a country that isnt even threatening to you atm.

[Central Asian Qaghan]

oooooh the irony all the man has done is cheered Pakistan on and posted a news link article....and THAT is nationalistic anti pakistan bias?!



Again with the India thing...get a goddamn grip sheesh. And no sorry your country has shown very little will and inept power thus far in combating the Taliban so dont even go there thinking could handle India...a country that isnt even threatening to you atm.

Pakistan did what it wanted, when it wanted and isn't a play thing of the west no matter how much you squiggle on your armchair wringing your hands and say "oh what to do, oh what to do?"

Pakistan did what it had to and as a Pakistani i have more faith in my country than your so called western freedoms.

[danzig]

Pakistan did what it wanted, when it wanted and isn't a play thing of the west no matter how much you squiggle on your armchair wringing your hands and say "oh what to do, oh what to do?"

Pakistan did what it had to and as a Pakistani i have more faith in my country than your so called western freedoms.

Dont even know what you are trying to say here since nothing you said was an actual response to my post...which didnt really require a response anyway.

[Barry Goldwater]

A bunch of anti-Pakistan bias and nationalist indian spewing from IndianPrince as always.

lulz

Pakistan has the will and the power to fight, destory and kill both the Taliban and India should either try to even attack us. Pakistan is god's nation and inshallah we shall emerge victorious against this evil foe and its RAW backers. Pakistan Zindabad!

Still thinking India is the greater enemy (and that they are supporting the Taliban)? The Indians haven't come this close to taking Islamabad, hell, you guys aren't even at war - and I'm sure India wouldn't enjoy the Taliban harassing its borders. Get a ing grip.

Pakistan did what it wanted, when it wanted and isn't a play thing of the west no matter how much you squiggle on your armchair wringing your hands and say "oh what to do, oh what to do?"

Does Pakistan want death at the hands of its own creation turned loose, too?

[Central Asian Qaghan]

Does Pakistan want death at the hands of its own creation turned loose, too?

Pakistan is stronger than any one nation in the world and nothing can destory it, neither India nor the Taliban so your point is more anti-Pakistani bias.

[Ojf]

I would edit that Accius^, mods wouldn't like it

I think this is very good if Pakistan can do this properly and effectively, there could be thousands of Taliban there, with help this could be a major breakthrough against the Taliban

[Gumpfendorfer]

Last post on Pakistan for a while: Offensive is going to be halted if "peace talks" are successful.

http://www.sananews.com.pk/english/2...mian-iftikhar/

Dir, Buner operation to be halted after Darul Qadha: Mian Iftikhar
⋅ Saturday, May 2nd, 2009 ⋅

TIMERGRA (SANA): NWFP Minister of Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain has said that after constitution of Darul Qadha the forces operation in Dir and Buner will be halted.

The first phase of talks between Amir of TNSM Maulana Sufi Mohammed and a delegation of the NWFP government was concluded here on Friday. The government delegation was comprised of Mian Iftikhar, Senator Zahid Khan and others.

Talking to media after conclusion of the first session of negotiations, Mian Iftikhar termed the talks with Mualana Sufi Muhammad as positive and hoped that the second phase of talks would also be held soon to resolve all problems.

” The decision of appointment of Qazis already took and the formal announcement will be made soon”, he further said.

Replying to a question, Mian Iftikhar said that the government wanted restoration of peace in the region. He said that the matter of the constitution of Darul Qadha will be discussed in detail in the next session of the talks.

On this occasion, the spokesman of TNSM Amir Izzat Khan said that the TNSM wanted peace and wanted peaceful solution of the problems with mutual consultation.”

Amir Izzat described the dialogue with government as successful.

The offensive will be a hoax.