Taliban refuse to disarm after peace deal in Pakistan's Swat valley

ahmedsid

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Taliban refuse to disarm after peace deal in Pakistan's Swat valley
South Asia News

Taliban refuse to disarm after peace deal in Pakistan's Swat valley

Feb 20, 2009, 15:12 GMT

Islamabad - Taliban forces in Pakistan's restive valley of Swat, in talks Friday with a cleric who signed a peace deal with the government earlier this week, refused to disarm until Islamic sharia is completely enforced in the region, a Taliban spokesman said.

Maulana Sufi Mohammad, the top signatory of the Monday's peace deal with regional government in North West Frontier Province, tried to convince his son-in-law and Taliban leader in Swat, Maulana Fazlullah, to abandon violence in the talks held at an undisclosed location.

'The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the peace accord,' said Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan, speaking by telephone. 'But it has been made clear that Taliban will not lay down their weapons till the sharia is completely enforced.'

However, Khan hoped that the sides will reach on consensus in a couple of days.

Fazlullah has lead the Islamist insurgency in Swat, formerly a popular tourist destination, and surrounding areas since late 2007 in seeking to impose Taliban rule.

The insurgency prompted a security operation that has left more than 1,200 civilians dead and caused a mass exodus from the war-torn region located about 160 kilometres north-west of Islamabad.

Seeking to achieve peace, the NWFP government on Monday signed an accord with Mohammad and agreed to set-up Islamic courts in the Malakand region, where Swat and six other districts are located.

Mohammad has shunned the violence since he was released in early 2008 from a seven-year detention for sending thousands of fighters to Afghanistan to resist US-led international forces in that country.

But the Western governments and the liberals in Pakistan say the country has yielded to Taliban militants and the development may result in more sanctuaries for Islamist insurgents to launch cross- border attacks on NATO forces in Afghanistan, and in the spread of Taliban's power in more areas.

Richard Holbrooke, the special US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, told the television news network CNN on Thursday that he had called Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari to express US concern over a deal with the Swat Islamists and warned not to let the agreement to 'turn into surrender.'

The American diplomat said Zardari assured him that it was merely an 'interim arrangement' to stabilize the Swat region.

NATO has expressed the same worries over the deal, which has yet to be approved by Zardari.

Indian Defence Minister AK Antony on Friday described the new development as something that adds to his government's worries.

'From 26/11 (the Mumbai terrorist attacks) onwards, we are very much concerned about the security scenario,' he was quoted as saying by PTI news agency.
 

ahmedsid

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I felt really angry when Pakistan negotiated a bad settlement with the Taliban. I feel they actually caved into all the demands! A sign of Weakness which the taliban will use eventually. This is not only Pakistans worry, This will have Implications All over the World!
 
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Pakistan had to try something before the country falls into a civil war, either way if the taliban give too much trouble US nukes will drop in the SWAT valley.
 

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slowly by surely it seems that pakistan is going the afganistan way where every child had a kalashnikov during the 80s and 90 s its not good news for south asia as a whole.

@lethal force sir nukes is not a solution to the problem we need a mass rising from the people to supress these elements.

thnx
 

ahmedsid

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Nukes aint the solution I too feel. It needs grass root eradication. The Pakistani society has not been overrun by Taliban yet as a whole, the rural population is the ones facing the brunt of this taliban onslaught. The Govt of Pakistan should devise some measures from the grassroot level to stop young people from rising up with a gun. I feel the People should give the GOP a chance and not call for the Army to overthrow it! Atleast I see some Netizens calling for the Army to overthrow Zardari, Well maybe its because these so called Netizens live in Europe or America and Enjoy all the fruits of the West and Want Oppression and Martial law in their homeland! I say Democracy- True Democracy is the answer to the Taliban!
 
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Invincible I agree with you but a mass rising takes time and education neither of which the US has. After Russians were defeated US should have done more for aghanistan but their shellfishness and shortsightedness caused many of the current problems, I agree nukes are not an answer but USA in it's current economic recession/depression and more men and money being sent to afghanistan and no military objectives reached will make USA impatient,the Taliban in a lot of ways remind me of the Japanese in ww2 and I think they have a similar ending.
 
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The Press Association: British Muslims 'arming Taliban'

British Muslims 'arming Taliban'

7 hours ago

British Muslims are supplying the Taliban with electronic devices to build roadside bombs for use in attacks on British forces in Afghanistan, it has been reported.

The Daily Telegraph said the devices, used to activate bombs by remote control, were being sent to sympathisers in the region or carried in by volunteers who fly into Pakistan before crossing the border into Afghanistan.

The details were said to have emerged during a briefing to Foreign Secretary David Miliband during a two-day visit to the country earlier this week.

The paper quoted an explosives officer as telling him: "We have found electronic components in devices used to target British troops that originally come from Britain."

When Mr Miliband asked how the components had reached Afghanistan, the officer was said to have replied they had either been sent from Britain, or carried in by British Muslims.

During the briefing, led by Brigadier Gordon Messenger, the Royal Marine commander of the British battlegroup in Helmand province, the Foreign Secretary was shown a series of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) used in attacks on UK troops. They ranged from mobile phones packed with explosives, which could kill or maim soldiers on foot patrol, to more sophisticated devices that could be used to attack military vehicles.

Experts who have examined the devices were said to have found British-made electronic components which enable the IEDs to be detonated by remote control.

The electronic devices involved included basic remote control units designed to fly model airplanes to more advanced components that enable insurgents to conduct attacks from up to a mile away from their target.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "The insurgents in Afghanistan have changed their tactics meaning they now use more and more improvised explosive devices than before. IEDs pose a significant threat to the safety of our forces and we are looking at ways we can improve protection from them."
 
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British Muslims 'providing Taliban with electronic devices for roadside bombs' - Telegraph


British Muslims 'providing Taliban with electronic devices for roadside bombs'

The devices, which enable Taliban fighters to detonate roadside bombs by remote control, are either sent to sympathizers in the region, or carried by volunteers who fly to Pakistan and then make their way across the border.

Details of how British electronic components have been found in roadside bombs were given to David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, when he visited British troops at their military compound at Lashkagar, in Helmand province, earlier this week.

In a briefing on British operations in southern Afghanistan by Brigadier Gordon Messenger, the Royal Marine commander of the British battlegroup, Mr Miliband was shown examples of the crude, home-made devices that are being used in attacks against British patrols.

They included mobile phones filled with explosives, which could kill or seriously injure British soldiers patrolling on foot, and more sophisticated devices that can be used against military vehicles.

Explosives experts who have examined the devices say they have found British-made electronic components that enable Taliban insurgents to detonate their home-made, road-side bombs by remote control.

The electronic devices smuggled into Afghanistan from Britain range from basic remote control units that are normally used to fly model airplanes to more advanced components that enable insurgents to conduct attacks from up to a mile away from British patrols.

"We have found electronic components in devices used to target British troops that originally come from Britain," a British explosives officer told Mr Miliband during a detailed briefing on the type of improvised explosive device (IED) used against British forces.

When asked how the components had reached Afghanistan, the officer explained that they had either been sent from Britain, or physically brought to Afghanistan by British Muslims who had flown over.

The disclosure is the latest in a string of suggestions from British commanders about the connections between British Muslims and violence in Afghanistan.

In August, Brigadier Ed Butler, the former commander of UK forces in Afghanistan, told the Telegraph that there are "British passport holders" in the Taliban ranks. Other officers believe their soldiers have killed British Muslims fighting alongside the Taliban.

And last year, it was revealed that RAF Nimrod surveillance planes monitoring Taliban radio signals in Afghanistan had heard militants speaking with Yorkshire and Midlands accents

British commanders have recorded a significant rise in the use of IEDs during the past two years, partly the result of the success British forces have recorded in defeating the Taliban in conventional attacks.

"We've really hit the Taliban hard, and the only way they can respond is to rely more heavily on IEDs and similar weapons," said a British officer.

The number of IED attacks against British forces has risen from an average of 27 percent of attacks in 2007 to an estimated 55 percent so far this year. A significant proportion of the 145 British service personnel killed on active duty in Afghanistan have been killed by improvised roadside bombs.

British military officers say the devices used in Afghanistan are not as sophisticated as those used against British forces in Iraq, and that Taliban insurgents need to be able to physically monitor British patrols when carrying out attack.

Details of the British link to IEDs were provided to Mr Miliband during his 48-hour fact-finding mission to Afghanistan earlier this week where he met military and government officials to assess the level of progress being made by British and coalition forces as the current military deployment enters its fourth year.

British officials are expected to come under pressure from U.S. President Barack Obama to add to the 8,300 British service personnel currently serving in Afghanistan as Washington prepares to undertake a military surge similar to the one that was so successful in Iraq.

Mr Obama has already pledged to send an extra 17,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan this year, and he is now expected to pressure other Nato countries – including Britain – to follow suit.

The original 2001 Western invasion of Afghanistan was triggered by al-Qaeda's September 11 attacks on the US.

The Taliban regime in Kabul had sheltered the al-Qaeda leadership, which is now based in the lawless Afghan-Pakistan border region.

Some Western intelligence agencies believe Osama bin Laden's group is now able to operate largely freely in the area.

However, bin Laden is facing an ideological revolt by one of al-Qaeda's founding leaders who blames, blaming him for "every drop" of blood spilt in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Sayyid Imam al-Sharif, who goes by the nom de guerre Dr Fadl, helped bin Laden create al-Qaeda and then led an Islamist insurgency in Egypt in the 1990s. But after a change of heart, he has launched a public denunciation of the group.

His latest book, which has been serialised in newspapers across the Arab world, amounts to a frontal attack on al-Qaeda's ideology and on the personal failings of bin Laden and his Egyptian deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri.
 
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Free Article for Non-Members | Stratfor

Pakistan: Roadside Bomb Explodes Along Supply Line
February 21, 2009 | 1602 GMT

A roadside bomb that appeared to target an oil tanker blew up in Pakistan on Feb. 21 along a route used to supply U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, The Associated Press reported, citing local government official Ameer Zada Khan. The remote-controlled bomb killed one person and injured two others when it detonated near Landi Kotal in the Khyber region. The oil tanker was meant to be used by NATO forces in Afghanistan, Khan said
 

ahmedsid

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Pakistan is facing the greatest threat it has ever faced, even greater than India! Its time to realise it and work accordingly. I for one didnt expect much action from Zardari, but he is trying his Best I feel. The Pact with Taliban is a dampener though! Taliban is not just Pakistans problem, Its a WORLD MENACE!
 

ahmedsid

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The General Populance of Pakistan are not Taliban Supporters, they are pretty moderate and Westernized in their outlook (urban areas are pretty neat I hear). Until and unless they sleep over this, then only can the Taliban Overrun the whole of Pakistan. If they wake up and act, then only can the Taliban be defeated. The problem is with a few Individuals, many of them on the net, living in Western countries and then sporting extremist views just as a fashion statement. I am relieved that they dont have much say in anything and just air their views on the net!

Lastly, I believe This is a big Lesson to any State Machinery that supports Extremists. In this case the Pakistan Govt supported the Al Qaeda and Company to defeat the Russians and Now these same guys feel the Govt of Pakistan are Infidels and need to be eliminated. Just goes onto Prove that Terrorism/Extremism doesn't pay. This Applies to the Americans as well who used and threw Al Qaeda and Afghanistan once Russian withdrew, totally neglecting it and Finally Making it the Playground of Extremism!
 

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I some how not agree that Pakistan population does not support Taliban. Once the soviet invasion started with the help of US and KSA they opened up madarsas for training the youth to fight. The whole generation has purged themselves in to this nonsense fight. There state has used them as cheap fighters to gain a delusional strategic depth. Once they started biting there controllers they are finding it hard to contain them as there army is also not willing to fight. Before the deal getting stuck we used to here the news that army is winning and all. The whole news was farce.
 

ahmedsid

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I some how not agree that Pakistan population does not support Taliban. Once the soviet invasion started with the help of US and KSA they opened up madarsas for training the youth to fight. The whole generation has purged themselves in to this nonsense fight. There state has used them as cheap fighters to gain a delusional strategic depth. Once they started biting there controllers they are finding it hard to contain them as there army is also not willing to fight. Before the deal getting stuck we used to here the news that army is winning and all. The whole news was farce.
Yes, Taliban has got its own share of Supporters at certain levels, But the Majority of Pakistanis enjoy entertainment, and Movies and would hate to be under the Taliban, but the sickest thing is that, they are not Speaking Up!

We all know some Pakistanis curse bollywood and Indian culture, but these same people go onto enjoy them. Deep Inside they know, Taliban will make life living hell for them and their Hypocrisy wont work then. Finally, Again I feel Taliban are not to be negotiated with, they are to be Shot-Point Blank, behind the right ear!
 

nitesh

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Yes, Taliban has got its own share of Supporters at certain levels, But the Majority of Pakistanis enjoy entertainment, and Movies and would hate to be under the Taliban, but the sickest thing is that, they are not Speaking Up!

We all know some Pakistanis curse bollywood and Indian culture, but these same people go onto enjoy them. Deep Inside they know, Taliban will make life living hell for them and their Hypocrisy wont work then. Finally, Again I feel Taliban are not to be negotiated with, they are to be Shot-Point Blank, behind the right ear!
Here is the whole point every body is seeing there is problem and doing nothing about it.This is indirect support for them. There is nothing like deep inside knowing or something. If you curse something you curse it's simple. They have created a hell for themselves by supporting these mullahs and now they are getting taste of there own medicine.
 

ahmedsid

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I some how not agree that Pakistan population does not support Taliban. Once the soviet invasion started with the help of US and KSA they opened up madarsas for training the youth to fight. The whole generation has purged themselves in to this nonsense fight. There state has used them as cheap fighters to gain a delusional strategic depth. Once they started biting there controllers they are finding it hard to contain them as there army is also not willing to fight. Before the deal getting stuck we used to here the news that army is winning and all. The whole news was farce.
Yes, the Pakistanis, West and Mid East made up the Al Qaeda, their current bogeyman. Never did anybody think that one day, This monster will rise against their creators. Its a Lesson the whole World must Realise. But I dont think any one is drawing lessons, they are just blamig. When Zardari said that Pakistan is under immense threat, we Had Internet warriors say Zardari is nuts. But is He????
 

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Yes, the Pakistanis, West and Mid East made up the Al Qaeda, their current bogeyman. Never did anybody think that one day, This monster will rise against their creators. Its a Lesson the whole World must Realise. But I dont think any one is drawing lessons, they are just blamig. When Zardari said that Pakistan is under immense threat, we Had Internet warriors say Zardari is nuts. But is He????
Let us be clear what west has done. They created the mujahidines. The Pakistani intelligence in quest for delusional strategic depth created Taliban which in turn given rise to lot of extremist groups. And got nurtured. And now it is cannibalizing on the creators. Good to see some officials recognizing the threat but it does not look from the general attitude of the public.
 

ahmedsid

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Yes, it was a quest for dominance, the ISI of the 80s thought the USA of the 80s will be there with them in the 1990s. Too bad for them Uncle Sam didnt.

The people are being misled by Illiterate freaks like Zaid Hamid who think India is the centrepoint of all the problems in Pakistan. Thinking of it, I dont blame Zaid, I blame the people who listen to his out of this world Conspiracy theories!
 
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This deal with the taliban is primarily a message for USA/NATO that our cooperation stops here, we will not fight the taliban and we will have a permanent truce and we may not let you use the supply lines, USA is either going to turn up he heat or make their exit plans and try to save face from a clear defeat in afghanistan.
 

ahmedsid

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The taliban has made it clear that its not a Permanent truce. I feel the Pak Army is commiting a blunder and the Taliban will be better organised to fight them at a time they choose and not the armies.

The USA wont just sit by and not do anything, they will figure out a way. The talks with Russia about supply routes is bearing results.
 

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