Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Taliban Just 70 Miles From Islamabad

Advances pose 'mortal threat' to US security, says Clinton

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 22, 2009 6:06 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Taliban are expanding their reach in Pakistan and are now perched about 70 miles from the capital of Islamabad. The militants, recently given control of the Swat Valley by the government, took over the neighboring Buner district last night. Hillary Clinton told a House panel today that the "Pakistani government is basically abdicating to the Taliban and to the extremists,” a development she said posed a "mortal threat" to US and world security, the New York Times reports.

The unusually charged language may be a bid to rattle not only Pakistan's rulers but American lawmakers who might balk at providing aid for US efforts in the region, the Times notes. In the Buner district, meanwhile, Taliban militants entered from Swat and set up their headquarters after driving out government officials. TV and music are banned, and a commander said Sharia courts would be set up soon, notes the Wall Street Journal.

A student walks on the debris of a school building allegedly destroyed by militants in Mingora, capital of Pakistan's Swat valley, on Tuesday.
A student walks on the debris of a school building allegedly destroyed by militants in Mingora, capital of Pakistan's Swat valley, on Tuesday.   (AP Photo/B.K.Bangash)
Map locates the Buner region and Swat Valley in Pakista.
Map locates the Buner region and Swat Valley in Pakista.
Students collect bricks from rubble of their school allegedly destroyed by militants in Mingora capital of Pakistan's Swat valley.
Students collect bricks from rubble of their school allegedly destroyed by militants in Mingora capital of Pakistan's Swat valley.   (AP Photo/B.K.Bangash)
Supporters of pro-Taliban cleric Sufi Muhammad chant slogans in Mingora, capital of Pakistan's troubled Swat Valley on Sunday April 19.
Supporters of pro-Taliban cleric Sufi Muhammad chant slogans in Mingora, capital of Pakistan's troubled Swat Valley on Sunday April 19.   (AP Photo/B.K.Bangash)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Assassin
Apr 23, 2009 12:20 PM CDT
Time to Nuke Crapistan & All it's Cavemen. Send them to Allah by the millions.
northeast
Apr 23, 2009 4:06 AM CDT
Read the Koran. If hacking up a caravan of women/children is moderate because "I felt like it," then your second option is probably closer to it.
Robert_Dada
Apr 22, 2009 11:38 AM CDT
So the Taliban is ever closer to taking over Pakistan and perhaps their nuclear weapons? "It's the end of the world as we know it. And I feel fine". Good riddance human race; the most disgusting plague that ever visited planet earth.

More Newser Stories

3 US Soldiers Killed in Attack on Pakistan Girls' School

Pakistan Sends Troops to Halt Taliban Advance

US to Pakistan: Take Out Haqqani

40 Dead in Pakistan Suicide Attack

CIA Drones Batter Pakistan Militants


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne