Okay....So now what's up?
Pakistan Ends Bin Laden Search in Border Region
Saturday, November 27, 2004
PESHAWAR, Pakistan — The Pakistan army says it's withdrawing troops from the area where Usama bin Laden (search) and a top aide are believed to be hiding.
The withdrawals from the region near the Afghanistan border follow intense military operations by thousands of troops against remnants of bin Laden's Al Qaeda (search) organization and its allies.
The top Pakistan general in the region says the army is removing checkpoints in return for local tribesmen's support against foreign militants. He adds that some Pakistani soldiers will remain nearby.
Although the tribal region is considered a possible hiding place for bin Laden and his deputy, a senior Pakistan general has said there's been no sign of them.
But earlier this month, the deputy commander of U.S. Central Command said it was "essential" that Pakistan continue military operations in the area.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,139760,00.html
Months ago, after the Saddam capture, several generals said OBL would be caught by the end of this year. Maybe OBL moves after this announcement and then is captured/killed.
No, they are not withdrawing (
starship) troopers ;-) I anticipate that they are relocating them.
http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=84931
RAWALPIDNI, November 28 (Online): Referring to troops pull out from the embattled South Waziristan zone, Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) Spokesman Maj Gen Shaukat Sultan said that security forces would net be pulled out of the volatile region of South Waziristan.
He said action would be taken as and when required if there was credible information about the presence of foreign militants or their involvement in terrorist activities.
Clarifying a news item appearing in a section of press regarding the removal of check posts and pullout of troops from Wana, ISPR Chief said that since area of Ahmad Zai Wazir has been secured and wanted men surrendered to the government, check posts in Azam Warsak and Shin Warsak will be manned by the local tribesmen.
Political administration and security forces would concentrate on stabilization of situation in the area and would also focus on development activities.
He was determined to say that operation would continue in Mahsud area where some of the wanted men were still at large and had not yet surrendered.
Enumerating three purposes for deployment of security forces in FATA, secure the western borders, assist the political administration in undertaking the development works and apprehend the foreign and local militants who were hiding in some of these areas.
He said that presence of aliens in the area and their local facilitators and their activities have disrupted the development works, as these elements were not involved in terrorist activities with in the country but also in neighbouring Afghanistan.
Some of the areas have been cleansed of the miscreants while the government with due assistance by the local tribesmen would ensure that there was no reemergence of miscreants in these areas, he added.