JUL 28 - The military has delayed a full-scale ground operation in South Waziristan Agency against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud as the two sides have covertly reached an understanding, the Telegraph UK claimed on Tuesday.
A report in the daily said details are still not known, but the military had deliberately delayed launching the attacks against Baitullah after “having corralled his stronghold in South Waziristan”.
Around six brigades of troops have blocked the four main arteries into Baitullah’s territory, which thousands have fled for fear of missile strikes by US drones.
There has also been no drone attacks for few weeks now.
And today, US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke said at least seventy percent of the Taliban do not share the philosophy of Taliban and Al Qaeda, Dunya News reported.
Holbrooke said less violent Taliban, those who had renounced extremism, should be included in the political mainstream.
Citing a senior official, the UK paper reported that Islamabad authorities want Baitullah Mehsud to announce that he would not attack the government in the future. The official said it would not be a “total surrender”, but a guarantee on Baitullah’s part that he would not indulge in anti-state activities in the future.
The effort was underway because the military is engaged on several fronts and does not want a full-blown operation in Waziristan.
The claims have not been verified independently, the Telegraph reported, but said the delay was sure to anger the United States. Our observation is that may not be the case as Holbrooke is already talking about 70 percent Taliban being 'moderate'. News reports also say the West is involved in secret talks with them.
The military has meanwhile denied such reports and said it wanted to surround the Taliban and then use air power and artillery to “soften them up”.
The army has struck several peace deals with Baitullah in the past, but all have collapsed.
Related report:
Pakistan in ’secret negotiations’ with Baitullah Mehsud
Taliban Resume Attacks in Swat Valley
A report in the daily said details are still not known, but the military had deliberately delayed launching the attacks against Baitullah after “having corralled his stronghold in South Waziristan”.
Around six brigades of troops have blocked the four main arteries into Baitullah’s territory, which thousands have fled for fear of missile strikes by US drones.
There has also been no drone attacks for few weeks now.
And today, US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke said at least seventy percent of the Taliban do not share the philosophy of Taliban and Al Qaeda, Dunya News reported.
Holbrooke said less violent Taliban, those who had renounced extremism, should be included in the political mainstream.
Citing a senior official, the UK paper reported that Islamabad authorities want Baitullah Mehsud to announce that he would not attack the government in the future. The official said it would not be a “total surrender”, but a guarantee on Baitullah’s part that he would not indulge in anti-state activities in the future.
The effort was underway because the military is engaged on several fronts and does not want a full-blown operation in Waziristan.
The claims have not been verified independently, the Telegraph reported, but said the delay was sure to anger the United States. Our observation is that may not be the case as Holbrooke is already talking about 70 percent Taliban being 'moderate'. News reports also say the West is involved in secret talks with them.
The military has meanwhile denied such reports and said it wanted to surround the Taliban and then use air power and artillery to “soften them up”.
The army has struck several peace deals with Baitullah in the past, but all have collapsed.
Related report:
Pakistan in ’secret negotiations’ with Baitullah Mehsud
Taliban Resume Attacks in Swat Valley
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