Pakistani Militants Taking Advantage Of Lull In U.S. Drone Strikes

In this file photo from 2007, U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Justin Cole communicates with the pilot of an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle prior to a night mission. Jonathan Snyder/Courtesy U.S. Air Force

Lull In Strikes by U.S. Drones Aids Militants In Pakistan -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — A nearly two-month lull in American drone strikes in Pakistan has helped embolden Al Qaeda and several Pakistani militant factions to regroup, increase attacks against Pakistani security forces and threaten intensified strikes against allied forces in Afghanistan, American and Pakistani officials say.

The insurgents are increasingly taking advantage of tensions raised by an American airstrike in November that killed two dozen Pakistani soldiers in two border outposts, plunging relations between the countries to new depths. The Central Intelligence Agency, hoping to avoid making matters worse while Pakistan completes a wide-ranging review of its security relationship with the United States, has not conducted a drone strike since mid-November.

Read more ....

Update: Lull in U.S. drone raids emboldens Taliban -- UPI

My Comment: U.S. collaborators and spies on the ground coupled with the drone strikes that followed did more to hinder and cripple militant activities than most Pakistani large scale military operations. With there no longer being a need to take precautions in travel and assembly .... the militants (not surprisingly) now have the time and focus to plan and execute militant operations.

Why Militant Deals In Pakistan Go Sour

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) leader Malik Ishaq. File photo

In Pakistan, a Militant Deal Sours -- New York Times/AP

ISLAM NAGAR, Pakistan (AP) — The deal saw one of Pakistan's most feared militants walk from jail apparently in exchange for his commitment to nonviolence, help in reining in other fighters and possibly delivering the votes of his followers.

Supporters showered Malik Ishaq with rose petals when he left the prison in the eastern city of Lahore in July. Days later, he was preaching murderous hatred toward minority Shiites to crowds of cheering Sunnis, energizing a network whose members have joined al-Qaida for terror strikes. That was too much for Pakistani authorities, who arrested him again last month.

Read more ....

Update: Pakistan Extends Detention of Militant Leader -- Voice of America

My Comment: The above article pretty well sums up the problems that Pakistan has in prosecuting spreaders of hate like Maliq Ishaq .... in short .... the Pakistani legal system is not structured to prosecute people like him.

Pakistani Military Still Cultivates Militant Groups

Pakistani Military Still Cultivates Militant Groups, a Former Fighter Says -- New York Times

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — The Pakistani military continues to nurture a broad range of militant groups as part of a three-decade strategy of using proxies against its neighbors and American forces in Afghanistan, but now some of the fighters it trained are questioning that strategy, a prominent former militant commander says.

The former commander said that he was supported by the Pakistani military for 15 years as a fighter, leader and trainer of insurgents until he quit a few years ago. Well known in militant circles but accustomed to a covert existence, he gave an interview to The New York Times on the condition that his name, location and other personal details not be revealed.

Read more ....

Update #1: Ex-militant: Pakistan supports terror groups -- CBS
Update #2: Pakistani military supports radical groups: report -- Straits Times
Update #3: There is connection between ISI and Haqqani network: McCain -- Economic Times

My Comment: Pakistan links to terror groups is not new .... i have been talking about this for years. The real question should be .... what are we gong to do about it. Unfortunately .... if the past is any indication .... nothing much.

Pakistan's ISI - Militant Links Revealed In An American Courtroom

Pakistan’s Intelligence Agency Was Involved In Planning Of The Mumbai Terror Plot, Conspirator Claims -- The Daily Mail

An American who has admitted scouting targets for the Mumbai terror attacks said yesterday that the plot was hatched with at least one Pakistani intelligence official and a navy frogman.

At a trial for a Chicago businessman accused of providing a front for his surveillance work in India, David Headley testified to getting help and guidance from two officers in Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence directorate, the ISI.

Read more ....

More News On ISI - Militant Links Revealed In An American Courtroom

Terror Scout Links Pakistani Intelligence Agency to Mumbai Assault -- Global Security Newswire
Mumbai terrorists made two botched attempts before successful attack -- The Telegraph
Mumbai Attack Plotter Says Results ‘Pleased’ Him -- Bloomberg
Headley alleges more Pakistan militants, ISI links -- AJC
Mumbai terror attack: US trial puts Pakistan spy agency in the dock -- The Guardian
Spy agency 'planned' Mumbai attack -- Sydney Morning Herald

Militant Groups Slip From Pakistan's Control

From the International Herald Tribune:

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan's premier military intelligence agency has lost control of some of the networks of Pakistani militants it has nurtured since the 1980s, and is now suffering the violent blowback of that policy, two former senior intelligence officials and other officials close to the agency say.

As the military has moved against them, the militants have turned on their former handlers, the officials said. Joining with other extremist groups, they have battled Pakistani security forces and helped militants carry out a record number of suicide attacks this year, including some aimed directly at army and intelligence units as well as prominent political figures, possibly even Benazir Bhutto.

Read more ....

Additional Coverage And Analysis from Belmont Club.

My Comment: Both articles accurately outline how another country's policies and actions may initially be isolated within their own borders and neighboring countries ....... but when it comes to militant islam we now have a result that attacks on other countries which are thousands of miles away are bringing pain and grief back to host countries of terror such as Pakistan ........ 911 being a perfect example of this blowback.

The years when groups like Al Qaeda have enjoyed autonomy in these regions are now coming to a close. Unfortunately, for the next few decades Pakistan will now be experiencing violence and turmoil from this past policy of appeasement and accommodation of extremists.