Taliban and Pakistan Return to their Foe Status
Honeymoon is Over
Earlier this year, the Taliban won and took over the Swat area, a huge district with millions of people, a former recreation resort area bordering along the Afghanistan. In my previous posts, Pakistan tried to placate the terrorists by cutting a peace deal by allowing them to remain in control and force the population into the extreme Islam law that favors sick men and degrades women to a dog status.
By doing this, Pakistan allowed the Taliban to have an operational base, which is total insanity on the part of President Zardari, which makes one wonder whose side is he really on???? The Taliban since have consolidated and grown bolder (duh!), continued bombings and ambushes of truck convoys moving though the area to Afghanistan, supported attacks in Islamabad and moved into the heart of Pakistan, the Punjub District.
It seems the Taliban's bold move to Buner recently has finally sounded the alarm to the Pakistani Army and President. Buner is only 60 miles from Pakistan's capitol. Pakistan finally flexes its muscele and told the Taliban theymust return to their haven. The US and UK have been applying heavy pressure with aid.
Pakistan's long paranoia of India may finally be left in the past, where it belongs. Up to now, most of Pakistan's best troops and better arms have faced India, while the militia, police and 2nd line troops dealt with the Taliban. President Zardari may have finally heeded to the pleas that India has no intention of invading or doing anything at all with Pakistan.
The "peace agreement" was tossed aside finally when Pakistan's army with artillery and gunships attacked in Lower Dir, to the surprise of the Taliban, which was part of the "protected area" covered in peace agreement. Now the Taliban officially announces that the deal is "worthless". You think??
The Taliban in Dir state, "we are living peacefully and nothing warranted this". Nothing? how about treating women like dogs, preparing bombs and other terrorist attacks, inhumane conditions. The mere existance of the Taliban IS a problem.
Hopefully, Pakistan's use of its military forces will act to wipe out theTaliban. Rooting them out is a daunting task and one that may not ever happen. The time is now to try the military method because we know the Taliban cannot be trusted and making peace deals only aggravates the situation to their advantage.