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Pakistan Drives Taliban From S. Waziristan

Militants regroup further north in a different district

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 12, 2009 11:09 AM CST

(Newser) – Good news from Pakistan's prime minister in the fight against the Taliban—the army has driven the militants from South Waziristan after a 3-month campaign. The bad news: The Taliban appear to have regrouped a little further north in a district called Orakza, reports BBC. "The operation in South Waziristan is over," said Yousuf Raza Gilani. "Now there are talks about Orakza."

South Waziristan became a focal point of the war in October when the army sent 30,000 troops there, a move that prompted militants to unleash a wave of suicide bombings in the capital and other large cities. It's not clear how big of a campaign will be waged in Orakza, but the UN says 40,000 people already have fled after initial airstrikes, notes AP.

A Pakistani soldier examines machine guns confiscated from militants after a gunbattle in Sararogha, a town in South Waziristan, last month.
A Pakistani soldier examines machine guns confiscated from militants after a gunbattle in Sararogha, a town in South Waziristan, last month.   (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
A Pakistan army soldier stands alert as a helicopter takes off in Ladha, a town in South Waziristan, last month.
A Pakistan army soldier stands alert as a helicopter takes off in Ladha, a town in South Waziristan, last month.   (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Pakistani troops walk on a hilltop post near  Ladha, a town in the Pakistani region of South Waziristan, last month.
Pakistani troops walk on a hilltop post near Ladha, a town in the Pakistani region of South Waziristan, last month.   (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
freethemall
Dec 12, 2009 11:52 AM CST
I agree.
justme
Dec 12, 2009 10:43 AM CST
The only success in Afghanistan includes these successes in Pakistan. It is, in essence a two front war with the Taliban in the middle. If either side is unable/ unwilling then the Taliban win by default. The border becomes their refuge again as it has been for years.
freethemall
Dec 12, 2009 8:31 AM CST
If anyone thinks it's of no consequence to us, or the rest of the world, if the Taliban should take over Pakistan, is grossly mistaken.

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