Chowrangi

While the army has focused its attention on the war against the militant Talibans, the Taliban and their allied groups have taken to occupying large areas and trying to establish their writ there. The recent suicide attacks in Dera Ismail Khan and Wah are the manifestation of the complexity of this war.

Tension prevailed in Kabal area of the valley where the forces, backed by gunship helicopters and artillery, carried out a full-fledged daylong operation against hardened militants in which both sides suffered casualties. The military said that it had destroyed the centre, which served as one of the militants’ main command and control, logistic-cum-training and launching pads for terrorist activities and killed about 10-15 foreign militants, including Chechens, Uzbeks and Tajiks.

Just now it was revealed that the Tehrik-e-Taliban is trying to accumulate funds for its war from Karachi and other big cities, and for that they are using every kind of legal and illegal methods which range from ransom to robberies to street crimes. It is need of hour that government and its secret agencies at least maintain the state writ in the big cities and keep an eye on such elements.

It is time for the people of the country to come together and go all-out for peace. They need to press upon the government to show carrot to the militants while using the sticks.

Other posts by Commoner

• Punjab Heats Up - November 19th, 2008
• Eyeball to Eyeball - November 18th, 2008
• No Surprises There - November 18th, 2008
• Yousuf Ready to Leave "Power" - November 18th, 2008
• OGRA Website Hacked By Indian Hackers - November 17th, 2008
• Friends Of Pakistan Again Disappoints - November 17th, 2008
• New But Old Dimensions - November 17th, 2008
• After the Loan - November 16th, 2008
• Locals Lashkars Against Taliban - November 16th, 2008
• Swat Keeps on Smouldering - November 15th, 2008