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Pakistan Routs Insurgents in Militant Haven

Army says other regions will be free of al-Qaeda, Taliban by year's end

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 28, 2009 5:47 PM CST

(Newser) – Pakistani forces have scored a victory against Islamic militants by ousting them from a stronghold on the Afghan border, Reuters reports. Pakistan plans to clear at least four of seven other regions of militants by the end of the year. “They have lost their cohesion here,” one general declared. “The resistance has collapsed.” A Pakistani offensive launched last September has killed more than 1,500 militants in Bajaur, a key route for infiltrating Afghanistan.

But in other areas, the government is striking peace deals with militants, stoking Western fears of an intensified insurgency. “There is no single thread that runs across” all of the regions, the general explained, “so one has to deal according to what exactly the situation warrants.”

A Pakistani official hugs a tribe man during a ceremony in the Bajur tribal region, Pakistan, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009. Troops have defeated militants after a grinding six-month offensive.
A Pakistani official hugs a tribe man during a ceremony in the Bajur tribal region, Pakistan, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009. Troops have defeated militants after a grinding six-month offensive.   (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
A spokesman for pro-Taliban cleric Sufi Muhammad speaks about the negotiations between their leader and government officials, in Mingora, capital of the  Swat valley, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009.
A spokesman for pro-Taliban cleric Sufi Muhammad speaks about the negotiations between their leader and government officials, in Mingora, capital of the Swat valley, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009.   (AP Photo/B.K.Bangash)
Pakistani men from tribal forces hold their weapons in the troubled Bajaur agency, Friday, Sept. 26, 2008. Pakistan had promised to bring stability to the restive tribal region within two months.
Pakistani men from tribal forces hold their weapons in the troubled Bajaur agency, Friday, Sept. 26, 2008. Pakistan had promised to bring stability to the restive tribal region within two months.   (AP Photo/Aamir Qureshi, Pool)
Pakistani men from tribal forces chant slogans against the Taliban in Raghagan, near Khar, in the troubled Bajaur agency, Pakistan, Friday, Sept. 26, 2008.
Pakistani men from tribal forces chant slogans against the Taliban in Raghagan, near Khar, in the troubled Bajaur agency, Pakistan, Friday, Sept. 26, 2008.   (AP Photo/Aamir Qureshi, Pool)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Forderon
Mar 1, 2009 11:05 PM CST
Dude, don't you know that the US doesn't tackle multiple problems at the same time? We will "win" this war in Afghanistan, then we'll have to deal with terrorists from Pakistan wanting to destroy India. It will never end.
Assassin
Feb 28, 2009 8:28 PM CST
Remember Pakistan is still Crapistan, any culture that treats women & girls the way that those Sub-Human Cavemen do doesn't deserve to Exist.
justme
Feb 28, 2009 8:06 PM CST
Some good news in a war that desperately needs good news. Perhaps Obama can win "Obama's war". Hopefully it won't take as many wrong turns to do it as Bush took to win in Iraq. (YES I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE DON"T WANT TO HEAR THAT)

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