Pakistani troops capture militant stronghold
http://apnews.myway.com//article/200...D941LQ580.html
Quote:
"Now we have complete control in this area from where miscreants used to go to Afghanistan, Mohmand, Dir and Swat," army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas told reporters flown in to Bajur by military helicopter. "Miscreants have been expelled or killed."
Anybody got a map of the region? Is this important?
There was also a picure of the Army entering a
fortified cave complex in Bajur that floated around several weeks ago. Note the lead sentence in the linked article says the offensive has been going for two months; Culpepper and Danny may have missed that. Clearing bad guys out of difficult terrain is not easy, more people should try it...
I suspect they're doing the best they can with what they have.
We could all wish they had more of many things -- they don't.
Sorry, no snark intended, wasn't clear from your first post....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Culpeper
I didn't miss the two month campaign part I don't doubt the story. Just wondering of its importance as claimed later in the story. I'm not familiar with the region. Just sounded like some good news to me. Speaking of clearing out bad guys in tough terrain. I couldn't even get to a covey of quail out of an area of thick salt cedar brush today. I can't imagine the endurance it takes up in those mountains and valleys with the enemy behaving like a covey.
It's another step; they've got to go very slowly or they'll arouse opposition instead of grudging tacit support from the local elders.
The Hill tribes don't like the foreigners or AQ -- or even the Taliban -- but they also really do not like the flatlanders that are most of the Pakistani Army. So it's gotta be slow and easy; it'll take a while to get the are under some sort of control, possibly four or five more years but Pakistan will eventually be better off for it.
I hear you on the clearing bit -- just going after Quail would wear me out nowadays... :o
A glimpse into the agency
From the BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7701336.stm ; one of the better correspondents, although clearly on an officially guided tour.
davidbfpo
Recent News - Tohir Yuldashev
Gentlemen,
I was walking in the house, inbetween handing out candy to trick or treaters, and saw the Fox News ticker with information about Tohir Yuldashev. Yuldashev is the founder and leader of the IMU, and is suspected to be in Afghanistan. I didn't see the details on the ticker.
I have been checking on line and looking for details on any ticker and haven't seen anything?
Has anyone seen anything on this?
Thanks.