"Crumbling Unity" among North Waziristan Groups an Opportunity for Pakistani Army
28 April 2011
Crumbling unity among militants could provide the Pakistan army an opening to conduct a limited offensive against a particularly vicious Taliban group in a strategic tribal region, according to analysts and a senior military official. The target of such an operation in North Waziristan would be the most violent factions within the so-called Pakistani Taliban. Their leader, Hakimullah Mehsud, is believed to be increasingly isolated after executing...
Read the post »
Border Clash Threatens Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations
28 April 2011
Despite signs of improvement in diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, border guards from the two countries on Wednesday traded fire in the South Waziristan tribal district. At least 12 Afghan National Army (ANA) troops and one soldier from the Pakistani paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) were killed in the clash that took place in the Angoor Adda area of the district. Three FC troops and eight civilians were also wounded. The border...
Read the post »
Lashkar-e-Taiba: Past Operations and Future Prospects
28 April 2011
Lashkar-e-Taiba (the Army of the Pure or LeT) is one of Pakistan’s oldest and most powerful jihadi groups. Yet despite its long and bloody history, LeT only began generating significant attention outside South Asia after launching a multi-target attack on the Indian city of Mumbai in November 2008. Pakistan publicly as well as privately [has been advised] to move against LeT. Yet LeT’s position remains relatively secure. There are...
Read the post »
"Climate of Fear" over Pakistan Blasphemy Laws: Analysis
28 April 2011
Earlier this year two prominent politicians in Pakistan were murdered over their opposition to Pakistan's controversial blasphemy laws. The BBC's Jill McGivering investigates how the abuse of these laws is creating a climate of fear among Pakistan's religious minorities. One stretch of road in a residential suburb of Islamabad has the air of a shrine. This is where Pakistani Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti was shot dead in March. Mr Bhatti's murder...
Read the post »