Posted on 10/18/2009 11:35:55 AM PDT by Steelfish
Pakistan Closes In On Taliban Leader's South Waziristan Strongholds
Pakistan's armed forces are closing in on the stronghold of Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud, with heavy losses reported on both sides.
By Saeed Shah in Lahore and Daud Khan in Peshawar 18 Oct 2009
Troops were advancing towards the towns of Makeen and Ladha in the mountainous region of South Waziristan, in a military offensive that could prove decisive in the country's struggle against Islamic extremism. On the second day of the long-awaited ground operation, soldiers on three sides approached the area held by the fearsome Mehsud tribe, which forms the backbone of the Pakistani Taliban movement.
The Pakistan army reported killing 60 militants while claiming it had lost nine soldiers and 11 were injured. Azam Tariq, a Taliban spokesman, said: "They're trying to enter our land from all sides but we've repulsed their assault and they've suffered heavy losses.
"The government has put the country's sovereignty at stake to please [Barack] Obama ... we'll attack his well-wishers everywhere." Soldiers moving from the southeast captured a Taliban base at Spinkai Raghzai on Saturday after the militants fled to nearby mountains.
On Sunday, troops advancing from the southwest met dogged resistance as they tried to push into the Taliban-held town of Khaisora. The main stronghold of Hakimullah Mehsud is Makeen and the advancing troops have yet to reach into that zone.
"We are expecting a tough battle after getting close to Makeen and we are fully prepared for that," said a senior army officer. Military officials believe the real battle would begin once the troops get close to Makeen and areas including Kanigram. The areas are being softened up with bombardment by jet fighters.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Any way of telling if this is really true, or if it’s eyewash for the Western press?
Where’s Bin Laden?
Holiday Inn Express?
At last report, he’s still in Hell.
I predict that the Paki’s quit after after 2 weeks or so, claim a resounding victory and resume business as usual.
That’s what they usually do. After stirring up thousands of innocent refugees, who then get to go on the UN/EU/US dole.
They had a hard last couple weeks in the population with bombings and all, if the troops turn back , the country is toast. The leaders know that, and now, more than just their lives depend on crunching the taliban and aq like cockroaches.
Dawn is Pakistan’s oldest, and most widely-read English-language newspaper.
http://www.dawn.com/
Pakistan should ask for our help, but then what help would they get, Obama trashing the government like he has regarding Afghanistan?
Good luck...
“fearsome Mehsud tribe....Soldiers moving from the southeast captured a Taliban base at Spinkai Raghzai on Saturday after the militants fled to nearby mountains.”
I always get such a laugh out of this.
Are they “fearsom” enough to stand and fight like men against U.S. Marines? What a bunch of wussies!
Listen Heartland person,
The U.S. needs a boogie man or two and Osama fills the bill.
We got rid of the “Iron Curtain” and we needed some kind of pooh like ole binney or else all those defense dollars would die off.
Osama Bin Laden is living fine in the Hamptons.
” Osama fills the bill.”
Well he did plan the killing of 3,000 Americans on 911.
Detroit ?
I think we know where he is.
I think we could get him in 5 minutes.
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