An extremely brief report on this here from Daily Times but I think it is a pretty significant event. Here's the detail from the report:
My point of significance here is the meeting where these tribesmen were gathering in support of the government of Pakistan's military campaign against the Taliban. Does that ring any bells? Do I hear "Awakening Council", anyone?
We saw in Iraq that after time, al Qaeda in Iraq more than wore out their welcome in most parts of Iraq due to their treatment of the general populace and eventually, those civilians and tribes said "enough is enough" and took up arms against al Qaeda in Iraq. This is the third story of this nature that I have seen in Pakistan where local tribes are taking a stand against the Taliban. And it is especially significant because in the past, not only did these tribes willingly accept the Taliban into their villages and huts, but they ACTIVELY PROTECTED those same Taliban.
And that all has changed...because the Taliban, like their al Qaeda in Iraq cousins, have beheaded one too many, have blown up one too many schools and have bombed one too many innocent people.
Tribesmen shot dead a suspected suicide bomber and arrested two armed Taliban militants when they barged into a gathering of tribal elders, officials said on Thursday. The tribal leaders were meeting in Pashak town to support the government’s campaign against the Taliban.
My point of significance here is the meeting where these tribesmen were gathering in support of the government of Pakistan's military campaign against the Taliban. Does that ring any bells? Do I hear "Awakening Council", anyone?
We saw in Iraq that after time, al Qaeda in Iraq more than wore out their welcome in most parts of Iraq due to their treatment of the general populace and eventually, those civilians and tribes said "enough is enough" and took up arms against al Qaeda in Iraq. This is the third story of this nature that I have seen in Pakistan where local tribes are taking a stand against the Taliban. And it is especially significant because in the past, not only did these tribes willingly accept the Taliban into their villages and huts, but they ACTIVELY PROTECTED those same Taliban.
And that all has changed...because the Taliban, like their al Qaeda in Iraq cousins, have beheaded one too many, have blown up one too many schools and have bombed one too many innocent people.
Suspected bomber shot dead, two arrested
KHAR: Tribesmen shot dead a suspected suicide bomber and arrested two armed Taliban militants when they barged into a gathering of tribal elders, officials said on Thursday. The tribal leaders were meeting in Pashak town to support the government’s campaign against the Taliban. Security forces killed five militants in attacks on Taliban hideouts in Bajaur Agency. The security forces pounded various areas of Khar tehsil including Saddiq Abad, Loyesam, and some areas of Mamoond tehsil, killing five militants and injuring seven, an official said. Meanwhile, militants blew up a government girls’ middle school in Khar.
2 comments:
Good analysis here, and I hope you are right. We must do something about Pakistan.
Maggie
Maggie,
It appears that Pakistan is indeed trying to get its act together now ...whether that is too late or not, remains to be seen. Their military operations are escalating, not diminishing which is a blessing - if they can only keep it up.
:Holger Danske
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