mattis, kayani to discuss north waziristan operation – the express tribune

7/29/2019 Mattis, Kayani to discuss North Waziristan operation The Express Tribune

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10/16/12 11:18 AMMattis, Kayani to discuss North Waziristan operation The Express Tribune

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Mattis, Kayani to discuss North Waziristan operation

The two generals would discuss how to eliminate their common enemy

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakimullah Mehsud. PHOTO:

AFP/REUTERS

ISLAMABAD:

Preparations for a military push against hard-line militants in North Waziristanbecame more explicit on Thursday as a top American general arrived in Islamabad

to hold talks with his counterpart.

Gen James N Mattis, Commander of United States Central Command (Centcom), ar-

rived in Islamabad late Thursday evening and was expected to meet army chief Gen-

eral Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani. Senior officials told The Express Tribune that the two gen-

erals would discuss how to eliminate their common enemy Tehreek-e-Taliban

Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakimullah Mehsud.


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In Waziristan, locals said, there was abnormal movement of military convoys in the

area, spreading fears of another bloody showdown between the army and tribal mili-

tants affiliated with al Qaeda. Meanwhile, the top military leadership also cancelled

Eidul Fitr holidays for troops deployed in the restive region and directed them to

stay alert.

An operation in North Waziristan for eliminating the Haqqani networks sanctuaries

has been a longstanding demand of the US and is one of the major issues which have

been weighing down the ties. However, Pakistani and American officials have agreed

to eliminate Hakimullah and his hardline followers in the TTP before targeting the

Haqqani network.

The idea is not to go against Haqqani straight we have suggested taking on

Hakimullah and his group first and the Americans have endorsed the idea, said asenior military official requesting anonymity.

On Monday, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta toldAP news agency that Pakistan

had decided to launch a military operation against the Pakistani Taliban in North

Waziristan but the campaign was not against the Haqqani network.

However, Hakimullah Mehsud and his followers will provide an equally daunting

challenge for both the US mission in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He was the master-mind behind a deadly suicide attack on a forward operating base of the US Central

Intelligence Agency at Chapman in Khost province of Afghanistan on Dec 30, 2009.

As many as seven CIA operatives were killed in that attack.

TTP and its Punjabi affiliates were also behind some of the most audacious attacks

against military installations in Pakistan, including a commando-style raid on the

armys General Headquarters (GHQ) in 2009.

According to military officials and TTP associates, Mehsud has been in deep hiding

in Shawal Valley a rugged forest region sprawling across North and South

Waziristan and might have lost control over his group. Mehsud is labelled as target

number one in drone strikes being carried out by the CIA in the tribal regions.

There have been reports over the past year that his deputy, Waliur Rehman Mehsud,

was forthcoming in peace talks with the Pakistani military.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/422240/pakistan-military-plans-to-open-new-front-panetta/


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Published in The Express Tribune, August 17th, 2012.

mattis, kayani to discuss north waziristan operation – the express tribune

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