Pakistani internal security (catch all)

[Tacitus]

Click on this link to listen to their report.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...oryId=14191419

From the people they interivew, the mood in Pakistan is "anger and embarassment."

If that many soldiers can be taken without even firing a shot, it makes you wonder. Either about the fighting capability of the army, or their loyalty (or lack of?) to the government, maybe some of both. Considering the report of political unrest there lately, if I was thinking about plotting a coup d'etat, the time would seem right.

I wonder what India to the south thinks about the fighting capacity of the Pakistani army.

[Sarajevo071]

Thank you for the link.

BTW, don't you think that Paki Army would behave differently if they fight Indian Army and not they own people? I think many in Paki Army and police have struggle with what's going on and where they stand. It's not easy to shoot your own people.

[davidbfpo]

Thanks to Sarajevo for the source material.

I fear the worst with these incidents, either the Pakistani Army will go neutral - which means doing even less than before. Or it will be assertive, even launching operations. Even the most Islamic soldier, or officer should not accept the beheading of a FC para-military. Yes, I say this from the comfort of my "armchair" and rely on my reading of Imperial history.

davidbfpo

[davidbfpo]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...akistan106.xml

Pakistan army helicopter kills militants

A Pakistan army helicopter has attacked a vehicle carrying suspected pro-Taliban tribesmen as uncertainty grew over the fate of over 100 Pakistani soldiers captured by militants in the tribal areas. Officials said four militants and two passers-by were killed in the strike near the town of Mir Ali in North Waziristan, notorious as a safe haven for militants, including Arabs and Central Asians.(more on the link about background).

[Sarajevo071]

Thanks to Sarajevo for the source material.

I fear the worst with these incidents, either the Pakistani Army will go neutral - which means doing even less than before. Or it will be assertive, even launching operations. Even the most Islamic soldier, or officer should not accept the beheading of a FC para-military. Yes, I say this from the comfort of my "armchair" and rely on my reading of Imperial history.

davidbfpo

You are welcome. I thought it is important development.

I agree with you on above observations on beheadings. I honestly never understand people like that... Seams to me that things will boil over soon and some kind of conflict will start. I am looking at this through they political crisis and imminent end of Musharraf's dictatorship.

[JJackson]

I have been following this one too but scanning for updates I am drawing a blank. The story has gone cold nothing on The Dawn, BBC, Reuters etc. - at least that I found - anyone got an update?

P.S. For those interested in the flux in Pakistani politics and its ramifications for Afghanistan see
Generals Waiting in the wings: http://www.dawn.com/2007/09/07/top4.htm and
Humour - Pakistan-style: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6984262.stm

[JJackson]

Ok I seem to have now found something.

Pro-Taliban fighters have freed more than 260 Pakistani troops who were kidnapped nearly two weeks ago in the tribal region on the border with Afghanistan.

A local intelligence official said the soldiers were handed over to members of a jirga, or tribal council on Monday.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exer...91E72CD7B4.htm

[davidbfpo]

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...1-9-2007_pg7_1

Army hostage release deal fails - from Pakistani paper.

davidbfpo
(added more general items on Pakistan elsewhere)