I think "Mr. Anonymous" may be feeling that events are closing in on his book release as well. He seemed to find it necessary to almost immediately comment in dismissive tones about Nek Mohammed's demise:
"Nek Mohammed is one guy in one small area. We sometimes forget how big the tribal areas are."
Now, I grant that the tribal areas are large and constitute an incredibly complex terrain, but that all the more underscores the remarkable success here. Did the Pakistani's (and/or we) just happen to get lucky? I don't think so.
Business as usual, look you right in the eye and lie to you, knowing that you know it's a lie but that you don't have the time to chase it down and prove it.
Looks like the book didn't go over so big at the New York Times, unless we are being fed a bone.
This, out from Dawn:
"Military urges fighters to surrender: Wana operation
ISLAMABAD, June 19: Military officials on Saturday renewed their calls to local and foreign fighters to surrender after Nek Mohammad and seven others were
killed in a security force raid in Wana on Thursday night.
Reuters quoted military spokesman Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan as saying that amnesty would be offered to foreign fighters and the local tribesmen who had sheltered
them, but only if they laid down their arms.
"In case of locals, amnesty will be given to those who lay down their weapons and denounce militancy," Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan said. "Foreigners will have to do the
same, but they will also have to get themselves registered, photographed and fingerprinted.
Failure to take up the offer, he said, would invite a further crackdown by the military.
"If there is any backlash, we are prepared to deal with it," Sultan said, adding that more than 80 militants, mostly foreigners, and 18 soldiers had been killed in fighting
so far this month.
Maj-Gen Sultan said the local tribesmen would help the security forces to hunt foreigners. "A tribal lashkar of 2,000 men is being raised for this task."
The situation in South Waziristan "is fully under control of the security forces," Maj-Gen Sultan said when asked if there were any fears of a tribal backlash over the
killing.
Meanwhile, a ten-member team of the Spirkai tribe, led by Malik Yunas, is expected to begin a search of some houses in the Shakai area looking for foreign militants
on Sunday.
http://www.dawn.com/2004/06/20/top8.htm
Looks to me like the Paks will consolidate for a bit, maybe give the political solution a chance to work again. The situation is quite a bit different than last time around, different positions for the Pak military, and new tribes to be dealt with. Wonder how cooperative the old tribes are going to be this time, if the crowbar took or if itdidn't get a solid bite, requiring placement yet a third time?
Guess we'll find out in due time.