Pakistan Launches New Offensive Against Taliban
The Associated Press reports that the Pakistani army launched a new offensive against the Taliban on Sunday.
The offensive causes reporters to wonder whether the deal struck between the Taliban in the Swat Valley and Islamabad remains intact. This deal allowed the Taliban to make their interpretation of Sharia the official law of the region.
One government official said it does, while another one said the Taliban must disarm “or face action.”
Pakistan’s military issued a statement saying the offensive in Lower Dir has already killed “scores” of Taliban, including a commander. It added that the offensive had been launched at the request of the provincial government and local residents.
The Dir region neighbors Afghanistan and the beleaguered Swat Valley. The government agreed to impose Islamic law in Swat and the surrounding districts that make up Malakand Division if the Taliban there would end their violent campaign in the one-time tourist haven.
The AP adds:
Losing either district of Dir to militants would be a significant not only for Pakistan but also for the U.S. because a part of the region borders Afghanistan, where the U.S. is sending thousands more troops to shore up the faltering war effort.
The Dir region lies above Bajur, a tribal area where the military staged another offensive. Many of the militants now in Dir may have come from Bajur.
Pakistan has given the Taliban too much room and has been too tolerant of the extremist group for too long a time. Asif Ali Zardari has been a tremendous disappointment thus far.
The only question remaining is whether the military will take over (soon) or whether it will let the country fall apart?
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