Pakistan Army Surrenders In Swat
Times Online:
This was the first movement of the Taliban into mainstream, middle class, suburban Pakistan. After weeks of brutal struggle, the army surrenders and is taken captive by the Taliban. And the military thought they were doing themselves a favor by agreeing to a cease-fire when they had the evil cleric on the ropes.
Dozens of Pakistani security forces policing a former tourist haven surrendered to militants yesterday, raising the stakes in the country’s political crisis. The police officers and troops, outnumbered and demoralised, laid down their arms before hundreds of pro-Taleban extremists who are imposing Islamic law in an area beloved of Western hikers.
The surrender, in the scenic Swat Valley, was deeply symbolic at a time when President Musharraf is pleading for continued Western support as a key regional ally.
Swat, the tourist attraction - no more.
General Musharraf argued last week that he was imposing martial law to help the fight against extremists. Yesterday’s cave-in illustrated the limits of Pakistan’s efforts to combat the spread of militancy. And the unwillingness of those in uniform to fight allies of al-Qaeda in northern Pakistan contrasted with the brutal repression by the security forces of lawyers on the streets of the capital.
“The security forces and intelligence agencies are fighting the people instead of the militants,” Benazir Bhutto, the former Prime Minister, said yesterday.
Three main towns have fallen to the followers of Maulana Fazlullah, a radical Islamic cleric, over the past three days. Residents said that heavily armed militants were patrolling the towns of Madayan, Matta and Kwazakhela, which had been favourite destinations for Pakistani and foreign tourists until recently.
They added that the Islamic militia, who called themselves Taleban, had hoisted their flag inscribed with verses from the Koran above government buildings and established Islamic courts. Government officials have fled and police stations are now manned by militants.
Television and music have been banned and barbers ordered not to shave beards. Through an FM radio station, the militants have urged schoolgirls to wear all-covering burkas. They have warned women that their marriages would be annulled if they did not force their husbands to grow beards.
Several development organisations have been forced to close their offices, accused of spreading immorality because they employed women staff. Last week the militia publicly beheaded 12 soldiers.
The region used to attract foreign tourists to its Buddhist heritage and archaeological sites. It is now one of the main centres of al-Qaeda activities, a sign of the growing influence of Islamic radicals in northern Pakistan.
Pakistani security officials said that the militia had the backing of al- Qaeda and included Arab and Uzbek fighters who had set up training camps in the mountains near Kwazakhela, which fell this week. Many members of militant outfits from other parts of the country are also reported to have joined the fighting.
Mr Fazlullah is also a leader of Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM), which was banned by General Musharraf in 2002 after it sent more than 10,000 volunteers to fight in Afghanistan against US forces. The cleric, who is also known as Mullah Radio for his fiery speeches delivered from an illegal FM radio station, declared jihad against the Government after Pakistani security forces raided the Red Mosque in Islamabad in July, killing a rebel cleric and scores of seminary students.
Pakistani security officials said that the movement presented the most potent threat to national security because it had developed firmly into a satellite of al-Qaeda.
You guys keep worrying about Iran. Thats a joke.
The fuckin Taliban and Al Queda are going to get Nuke weapons from the Pakis.
Bush fucked up with his support of Musharref. Of course he won’t own up to it.
Bush is never going to mentally get thru his term. Look for a nervous breakdown next Spring
November 8th, 2007 at 12:58 pmHausser, the Taliban wouldn’t know what the fuck to do with a nuke. They wouldn’t know how to store one, let alone light one off…they don’t ignite by cell phones, tripwires or fuses…
Be like sitting a two year old in an Apache. He pound on the seats and wave alot, but thats about it.
November 8th, 2007 at 1:41 pmBash
Bin Laden and the Taliban could pay some Paki scientists to
November 8th, 2007 at 1:59 pmtake care of that for them. No
IMHO we already guard their nukes. Al-Qaeada & Iran have formed an alliance. They know what’s about to happen to Iran. To try to prevent this, they are trying to topple Musharaff. Bush/Cheney are well aware of this, so they allowed Musharaff (Or Told him) to crack down so that Pakistan is in lockdown mode when we invade Iraqn.
November 8th, 2007 at 3:13 pmI meant invade Iran, please change if you can, thanks skip1
November 8th, 2007 at 3:14 pmMusharraf fucked-up, not Bush. Everyone is aware its only a matter of time before Islamic extremists obtain biological weapons / nukes regardless of our CIC (China, Russia or N Korea likely working a deal as we speak).
Bush has stood against terrorism for years now, without a meltdown - - I doubt he’ll have one as he nears the end of his term.
So…as you sleep in bed at night thinking of new ways to bash the Prez, you’d better hope that when terrorists do acquire the unthinkable, we have a CIC in office who is as strong & committed to the fight, as Bush has been.
November 8th, 2007 at 3:16 pmHausser
Keep dreaming…We will control as much of that senario as we want…yeah I read the same backing the wrong horse bullshit, but the one with all the guns is in power just like the one with all the guns took power in 98…
Bush aint sweating shit..
November 8th, 2007 at 3:17 pm“Paki scientists” are you that naive…He’ll need alot more than a scientist LMAO
November 8th, 2007 at 3:23 pmSkip you got that right. Bush new and this gives us ample cover to move specop in for targeting
November 8th, 2007 at 3:32 pmWhile the pussies of the left quiver in fear over everything, we are clearly winning the war on terror. The increase in agitation in Pakistan was predictable, and inevitable as the various Taliban/AQ groups are being pushed out of Afghanistan and Iraq. They are given safe passage in the North, and through Iran. Make no mistake, they will never be permitted to have control over nukes. Pres. Musharraf, if necessary will permit our intervention. If this happens, it will not be the same engagement as in Iraq, the stakes will dictate the response. Regardless of what occurs the Fag friends of Ron Paul and DailyKos will continue to wring their hands, wet their pants and complain.
November 8th, 2007 at 7:02 pm@Pat
The title should read, “Twat Army Surrenders in Swat”
November 8th, 2007 at 7:08 pmI hope these people will lay down their arms and give way for the early resolution of the conflict…
Junior
November 12th, 2007 at 8:59 pm