Okay, another rumor, just a rumor but it does give us some hope here. Taliban leader, Faqir Mohammed, is rumored to have been killed in a Pakistani military led attack on a Taliban convoy - 12 Taliban were killed in the convoy attack by cobra helicopters and the Pakistani military feels Mohammed was in that convoy. Here's some of the details from the story at The Long War Journal:
Now, besides this hopeful news that Mohammed is dead, dead, dead...the fact that 32 Taliban were offed in this latest Pakistani operation is excellent news. The one thing I have been impressed with over the past week is how the military operation by the Pakis is being sustained - considering they have held to a sustained operation for more than three or four days in the past since the new government took control.
This all leads me to believe that quite possibly, the Pakistani military and its generals are running the show to a big extent at this time. Whatever the reason, it's all good news.
Thirty two Taliban fighters have been reported killed during the latest round of fighting in the extremist-controlled Pakistani tribal agency of Bajaur. The Pakistani military speculated that Faqir Mohammed, the Taliban emir, or leader in Bajaur and the deputy leader of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, was killed in the fighting.
Faqir is thought to have been killed or wounded while riding in a convoy that was transporting explosives near the town of Khar. Pakistani Army Cobra helicopter gunships targeted the convoy and killed between 10 and 12 Taliban fighters. The Pakistani military could not confirm his death, while Taliban spokesman Mullah Omar denied Faqir was killed.
Now, besides this hopeful news that Mohammed is dead, dead, dead...the fact that 32 Taliban were offed in this latest Pakistani operation is excellent news. The one thing I have been impressed with over the past week is how the military operation by the Pakis is being sustained - considering they have held to a sustained operation for more than three or four days in the past since the new government took control.
This all leads me to believe that quite possibly, the Pakistani military and its generals are running the show to a big extent at this time. Whatever the reason, it's all good news.
Taliban leader in Bajaur rumored killed in Pakistani strikes
"We are receiving conflicting reports in this regard," said Pakistani military spokesman Major Murad in an interview with The Post. "Some say the commander is dead while the other are saying that he is injured. But I cannot say anything of sure in this regard."
Twenty-two Taliban were reported killed in a separate attack after helicopter gunships struck a madrassa run by Mullah Munir. The Pakistani military appears to be relying on air and artillery strikes to target the Taliban after a large convoy of Frontier Corps paramilitaries were ambushed and routed earlier this week.
The fighting in Bajaur has been intense since it began on Aug. 7 after government forces moved to occupy the Loisam region. A large Taliban force surrounded and ambushed a 200-man convoy of Frontier Corps forces moving into the region.
Heavy fighting broke out after the Frontier Corps troops attempted to break the encirclement. Pakistani aircraft, helicopters, and artillery joined the fray, reportedly causing heavy casualties among the large Taliban force, estimated at several hundred fighters.
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