Saturday, February 9, 2008

U.S. Says Mullah Omar Is In Pakistan


Not only did a U.S. official state that Mullah Omar is in Pakistan, he was specific - that Omar is in Quetta. At the same time, he restated the view that al Qaeda's top dogs are in Pakistan as well - bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Here's the quote from the official:


"We believe that the Taleban's shura (consultation) council leaders led by Mullah Omar reside in Quetta in Pakistan," he said.

Last month, a Taliban leader/spokesman was captured and confirmed Mullah Omar's location and at the same time made the claim that Omar was in fact being protected by Pakistan's Intelligence Agency. So there you have it. Pakistan continues to be the safe haven for the dredges from Afghanistan. Musharraf in Pakistan for some time DID contribute a good deal to the U.S.'s efforts in Afghanistan and did follow through with many arrests in Pakistan but it is clear now that there is a concerted effort by Pakistan to not only allow Omar and al Qaeda leaders to exist in Pakistan but to actually hide them and inhibit attempts to find and kill them.
The time is now for the U.S. forces in Afghanistan to begin more missile strikes into Pakistan like the one a number of days ago that killed al Qaeda leader, al-Libi.

Here's the full story.


US says Mullah Omar 'in Pakistan'

Taleban leader Mullah Omar and al-Qaeda commanders, including Osama Bin Laden, are living in Pakistan, a senior US official has told reporters.
He said senior Taleban leaders were in hiding with Mullah Omar in Quetta, from where they co-ordinated the insurgency in Afghanistan.
He also reiterated Washington's belief that Bin Laden was taking refuge in Pakistan's western tribal areas.
Islamabad repeatedly denies that Mullah Omar or Bin Laden are in Pakistan.

The official, who did not give a source for his information, said al-Qaeda was doing its planning in the tribal areas "just as Mullah Omar is giving strategic direction for the Taleban from Quetta".
Quetta is the capital of rugged Balochistan province which borders Afghanistan.
Last month, captured Taleban spokesman Muhammad Hanif made similar claims about Mullah Omar's whereabouts, which were rejected by Pakistan.
Mr Hanif said Mullah Omar was protected by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai made similar allegations last year. The ISI was instrumental in backing the Taleban after civil war swept Afghanistan following the withdrawal of Soviet troops in 1989.

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