US threatens to hunt Taliban inside Pakistan

The Nation ^ | May 28, 2010 | Kaswar Klasra

[gandalftb]

US has threatened to operate against Taliban inside the Pakistani territories in case Islamabad dillydallies on doing more.

President Obama conveyed this directly to Zardari in his letter delivered last week by CIA Chief Leon Panetta and US National Security Advisor Gen James Jones.

Obama’s letter was a firmly worded impetus for Pakistan to move hard against militants but it did not give out any sort of ultimatum or deadline.

However, defence analysts in Islamabad interpreted the message as a fairly bald warning that unless Pakistan moves quickly, the US is prepared to expand drone attacks and they believe that the Americans would also not hesitate in carrying out raids by special operations forces inside the Pakistani territories.

According a local official source from the Ministry of Defence, who has also been briefed on the meetings, said, “American’s message was if that Pakistani help isn’t forthcoming, the United States will have to do it by itself.”

[gandalftb]

Panetta and Jones would not have gone to Islamabad for briefings and updates, it was something heavy.

A reply from Zardari might be expected in about two weeks.

We cannot succeed in Afghanistan without a substantial offensive and blocking force on the Pakistani side.

[Doogle]

...didn’t they just announce this a week ago?

[gandalftb]

They?

[The Comedian]

Sounds arrogant and dismissive...

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[gandalftb]

There have been a number of reports of our desire to expand drone operations, which we have done. This is the first discussion of our troops in offensive operations. Of course we have had intel contractors and specops teams in Pakistan for years, for surveillance and target aquisition.

You may be thinking of the reports that we have 200+ trainers in Pakistan, that is true and has been the case for years.

[Doogle]

WH AND NYT

[Retired Greyhound]

The Nation?

[gandalftb]

No.

[gandalftb]

A Pak paper, arguably the premier news source in Pak. One of the few with original reporting. Pakistan and its papers can be gossipy and off the mark. The Nation is easily the most reliable and has the best sources in the government and military (the other government).

[Retired Greyhound]

Unlike the US version of The Nation.

[PhilosopherStone1000]

“US has threatened to operate against Taliban inside the Pakistani territories in case Islamabad dillydallies on doing more.”

Let me get this straight: The US is threatening to invade Pakistan? Does Dumb0 want to start a major war with one coming up in Korea?

[Doogle]

....from the NTY article: A Pentagon order that year gave the military authority for offensive strikes in more than a dozen countries, and Special Operations troops carried them out in Syria, Pakistan and Somalia.

[gandalftb]

Good point, you are right, but prior to actual ops, the local government, it there is one, is given an ultimatum to act or else. This new report is Pakistan’s “or else”.

[Squantos]

Bump ......