Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Pakistan Being Put On A "War Footing" To Battle The Taliban

Image from the BBC

Pakistan 'On War Footing To Smash Taliban' -- The Guardian

Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah promises military strikes and dismisses human rights fears over anti-terror laws

Pakistan is being put on a "war footing" to counter a surge in terrorism, according to a senior leader in the ruling party who promised military strikes against the Taliban and brushed aside human rights fears about draconian new anti-terror laws.

Rana Sanaullah, the law minister of Punjab province and one of the prime minister's closest confidants, told the Guardian the time had finally come to "smash" militant safe havens.

A spike in Taliban-led violence has prompted a dramatic rethink in policy from a government long determined to avoid a confrontation with the country's militant groups.

Read more ....

Update: Thousands of Pakistanis flee tribal belt fearing more air strikes -- Reuters

My Comment: So much for attempts to negotiate a peace deal with the Taliban. More to the point .... the Pakistan government now realizes that after suspending counter-terrorism operations against the Taliban 8 months ago .... the Taliban just used the opportunity to strengthen their forces.

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