Afghan NATO Force Hits Targets Inside Pakistan -- A Prelude For Incurions Into Pakistan Territory

A helicopter belonging to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force flies over Kabul as the sun sets.

More News From Yahoo News / Reuters:

KABUL (Reuters) - NATO forces in Afghanistan hit targets inside Pakistan with artillery and attack helicopters after coming under rocket fire from across the border, the alliance said on Wednesday.

Tension is high along the border with a sharp rise in attacks in eastern Afghanistan coming from inside Pakistan that Afghan and NATO officials blame on de-facto ceasefires between the Pakistani military and militants in its lawless tribal belt.

Troops from NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) "received multiple rocket attacks from militants inside Pakistan, July 15," the alliance said in a statement.

Read more ....

Afghan troops kill over 150 insurgents from Pakistan -- Web India
Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Battles Begin -- Strata-Sphere
Afghan NATO force hits targets inside Pakistan -- Reuters
NATO: ISAF responds to militant attacks from inside Pakistan -- China View
US poised to bomb Pakistan -- Economic Times
US troops poised to cross Afghan border for raid on bases -- Times Online
Pakistan to give befitting response to invaders -- Pakistan Daily
NATO troops build up on Pak-Afghan border -- Daily Times
Ready to invade Pakistan? -- Hot Air
US Calls on Pakistan to Control Afghan Border -- Voice Of America
More troops in Afghanistan? -- The Swamp
Pentagon looks at cuts in Iraq, additions in Afghanistan -- CNN
Gates wants more troops for Afghanistan in shift of priorities -- AFP
US, Nato term situation in Pakistan dysfunctional -- Dawn Internet

My Comment: It appears that coalition forces are now engaging the Taliban and their allies in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

Battle Brewing In Pakistan’s Tribal Areas

From Strata-Sphere:

It seems both sides are gearing up for a Battle Royale in the lawless tribal regions of Pakistan which border Afghanistan and have been the launching pad for attacks into Afghanistan by the remnants of al-Qaeda and their Taliban cousins. First we see signs of al-Qaeda fighters fleeing Iraq and heading to the Pakistan tribal regions:

Read more ....

More News on Pakistan's Tribal Regions

More foreign fighters moving into Pakistan's tribal areas: report -- AFP
US military chief says more foreign fighters operating in Pakistan tribal area -- International Herald Tribune
Pak witnessing increase in influx of foreign militants: report -- Press Trust Of India
US sending more air power to Afghanistan -- Pakistan Dawn
Divided Political Leadership, Faulty Government Policies Complicate War On Terror -- All Headline News
Inside the Ring: Critics Of U.S. Policy In Pakistan's Tribal Regions -- Washington Times
US poised to attack Pakistan extremists -- The Australian

My Comment: Al Qaeda supporters, Taliban soldiers .... they are all getting ready for a fight. The problem is that both Pakistan and Nato are having trouble in developing a strategy to confront them. This lack of action is showing weakness, and is embolding the Taliban.

There are no longer any good options now. For U.S. forces to enter Pakistan will mean a massive escalation in the conflict with the Taliban, and potentially with other ethnic groups in Pakistan. Bin Laden enjoys enormous support in Pakistan. Any action involving U.S. forces in Pakistan will bring about a destabilization of the entire region, with the central government in Pakistan being the first casualty.

On the otherside, failure to respond would only mean giving a safe operating base for Al Qaeda to plot international terrorist strikes, and for the Taliban to regroup, train, and bring the fight back into Afghanistan.