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Pak Army launches massive operation against al-Qaeda
Islamabad, Oct 02: Pakistani Army today launched a major operation to nab al-Qaeda suspects in its tribal area bordering Afghanistan, barely a day after US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage expressed doubts about its commitment to fighting terrorism.
Islamabad, Oct 02: Pakistani Army today launched a major operation to nab al-Qaeda suspects in its tribal area bordering Afghanistan, barely a day after US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage expressed doubts about its commitment to fighting terrorism.
"Our forces have launched the operation early Thursday after receiving information that several al-Qaeda men are hiding there," Pakistan defence spokesman Major General
Shaukat Sultan said.
There is no report about any arrest so far and the spokesman evaded questions about the results of the operation being carried out in south Waziristan.
The announcement of the operation had come hours ahead of the scheduled arrival of Armitage and Assistant Secretary Christina Rocca to Pakistan today, who, however, put off their visit at the last minute citing "scheduling issues". The operation followed observations by Armitage yesterday that Musharraf was supportive of crackdown against al-Qaeda and the Taliban but it was not the case with all the Army and security officials in Pakistan.
"I personally believe that President Musharraf is genuine when he assists US in the tribal areas and he has from inside of the border, but I do not think that affection for working with US extends up to down the rank of Pakistan security community," Armitage said in Washington.
The operation against al-Qaeda also followed a high level meeting of top military officials presided over by Musharraf yesterday in which issues relating to defence and security were discussed.
"We believe that some al-Qaeda men have taken shelter in south Waziristan tribal belt after carrying out attacks in Afghanistan's Paktika province," gen. Sultan said. He said Pakistani forces were tracking the suspects and launched the operation after confirming their presence.
The operation is going smoothly and the Northwest provincial government headed by hardline Islamist alliance, Muthahida Majlis Amal, has been informed, he said, adding no foreign troops are involved in the activity.
asked about the reaction of the local population, he said the local tribals have been taken into confidence. "The tribals have told us that they will not give shelter to any al-Qaeda suspect," Gen. Sultan said.
He said the al-Qaeda elements are creating law and order problems for the locals. Pakistan says it has deployed some 60,000 troops along its long and porous border with Afghanistan to check the movement of Taliban and suspected al-Qaeda militants but Afghanistan government has squarely blamed Pakistan's inaction for the resurgence of Taliban.
Afghan authorities accuse Pakistan of not taking sufficient steps to block attacks inside Afghanistan from Pakistani territory.
"We believe that some al-Qaeda men have taken shelter in south Waziristan tribal belt after carrying out attacks in Afghanistan's Paktika province," Gen. Sultan said.
He said Pakistani forces were tracking the suspects and launched the operation after confirming their presence.
Bureau Report
There is no report about any arrest so far and the spokesman evaded questions about the results of the operation being carried out in south Waziristan.
The announcement of the operation had come hours ahead of the scheduled arrival of Armitage and Assistant Secretary Christina Rocca to Pakistan today, who, however, put off their visit at the last minute citing "scheduling issues". The operation followed observations by Armitage yesterday that Musharraf was supportive of crackdown against al-Qaeda and the Taliban but it was not the case with all the Army and security officials in Pakistan.
"I personally believe that President Musharraf is genuine when he assists US in the tribal areas and he has from inside of the border, but I do not think that affection for working with US extends up to down the rank of Pakistan security community," Armitage said in Washington.
The operation against al-Qaeda also followed a high level meeting of top military officials presided over by Musharraf yesterday in which issues relating to defence and security were discussed.
"We believe that some al-Qaeda men have taken shelter in south Waziristan tribal belt after carrying out attacks in Afghanistan's Paktika province," gen. Sultan said. He said Pakistani forces were tracking the suspects and launched the operation after confirming their presence.
The operation is going smoothly and the Northwest provincial government headed by hardline Islamist alliance, Muthahida Majlis Amal, has been informed, he said, adding no foreign troops are involved in the activity.
asked about the reaction of the local population, he said the local tribals have been taken into confidence. "The tribals have told us that they will not give shelter to any al-Qaeda suspect," Gen. Sultan said.
He said the al-Qaeda elements are creating law and order problems for the locals. Pakistan says it has deployed some 60,000 troops along its long and porous border with Afghanistan to check the movement of Taliban and suspected al-Qaeda militants but Afghanistan government has squarely blamed Pakistan's inaction for the resurgence of Taliban.
Afghan authorities accuse Pakistan of not taking sufficient steps to block attacks inside Afghanistan from Pakistani territory.
"We believe that some al-Qaeda men have taken shelter in south Waziristan tribal belt after carrying out attacks in Afghanistan's Paktika province," Gen. Sultan said.
He said Pakistani forces were tracking the suspects and launched the operation after confirming their presence.
Bureau Report