Taliban Edge Closer to Islamabad

Now to Pakistan where there are concerns regarding Taliban advances in the countrys troubled northwest. However Pakistani security forces are fighting back as they launched an offensive on Sunday to counter the Talibans moves.
Taliban fighters have moved into the city of Malakand, just 60 miles northwest of the Pakistani capital.

The security operation in the Northwest Frontier Province comes amid growing concern from the United States.

[Major General Athar Abbas, Pakistani Military Spokesperson]:
"The situation is of great concern. You know that there is near insurgency going on in the northwest of Pakistan, but in some areas, or due to some actions, it has also been blown out of proportion. And the state is quite capable of handling this threat."

U.S. officials want Pakistan to take a stand rather than give up more territory to the militants.

But Pakistan says there is no threat to Islamabad.

[Major General Athar Abbas, Military Spokesperson]:
150 or 200 militants at 70, 80, 90 kilometers from the capital does not pose a threat to the capital."

Officials say the army will send in more troops if needed.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• ntd
• taliban
• Islamabad
• Pakistan
• Malakand
• United States
• army

[1988scottcarey]

the pakistani millitary will probably join the side of the taliban... it'll be the vietnam war untouched...