Hey, third time’s a charm right? I’m not so sure. The Pakistani government has repeatedly failed at taking on the Taliban and even an attempt at buying off the Taliban and relinquishing power of certain parts of the country to Taliban control has only emboldened the terrorists to expand their control and ramp up their attacks. This is the largest offensive to date by the Pakistani army with over 30,000 troops so this should get real interesting in the coming days.
Oct. 17: Pakistan Army troops prepare to leave for patrolling during a curfew in Bannu, a town on the edge of Pakistan's Waziristan.
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan — Pakistani soldiers attacked militant bases in the main Al Qaeda and Taliban stronghold along the Afghan border Saturday as the nuclear-armed country launched its most critical offensive yet against insurgents threatening its stability.
Five soldiers and 11 militants were killed as the more than 30,000 troops deployed to the region met stiff resistance in parts of South Waziristan, a possible hide-out of Usama bin Laden and a base for jihadists bent on overthrowing the U.S-backed government, attacking the West and scuttling the U.S. war effort in Afghanistan
The U.S. has pushed Pakistan to mount the offensive, which follows three unsuccessful campaigns since 2001 in the mountainous, remote region by mostly poorly equipped soldiers trained to fight conventional wars, not counterinsurgency operations.
The assault, which has been planned for several months, comes after a surge in militant attacks killed more than 175 people across Pakistan over the past two weeks.
The operation is expected to last around two months and is aimed at clearing the region, then holding it, officials said.
Related posts:
- US troops and NATO gather at Pakistan border
- Pakistan Orders Troops to Open Fire on U.S. Forces to Stop Raids
- Pakistan: Taliban vow to retake Swat Valley, punish infidels
- Pakistan: Army ‘clears’ Taliban stronghold in Swat
- Taliban leaders on upcoming NATO offensive: “We will shake their hands as civilians. Then they will leave.”
- Pakistan: Taliban warn against “Zionist” cell phone service in Pakistan
- Pakistan Army finds complex cave network used by Taliban and Al Qaeda
- Major drone strike pelts Jihadis with 18 missiles; 10 killed
- Taliban Killed Alleged US Informants
- Pakistan: Suicide carbombs detonate, killing 16, wounding 150
