Pervez Goes North
Posted by Ed Morrissey
Captain's Quarters
Pervez Musharraf has sent his army north towards the frontier, apparently modifying a truce he made with the radical Islamists controlling the region. The agreement appears to be over as groups in Waziristan began calling for jihad against Musharraf after the siege and capture of the Red Mosque:
<<< Thousands of troops were deployed to Pakistan's northwestern frontier to try to dissuade outlawed Islamic militants from launching a holy war against the government for its bloody attack on a radical mosque, military officials said Saturday.
As the troop movements proceeded in at least five areas of the North West Frontier Province, a suicide bomber struck in another region of the border, his explosives-laden vehicle killing at least eight soldiers in a military convoy, army spokesman Maj. Gen. Waheed Arhad said. ...
"With help from local tribal elders, we are trying to ensure that militants lay down their arms, and stop issuing calls for jihad against the government," said a senior military official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
He said there were no immediate plans for combat operations against Maulana Fazlullah, a radical cleric who has pressed for the imposition of Taliban-style rule in Pakistan, much like the leaders of the Red Mosque. >>>
Fazlullah had earlier agreed not to make statements over the FM radio station he controls that called for action against the government. Fazlullah broke that agreement after the Red Mosque siege, telling his followers to prepare for jihad against Musharraf. Instead, Musharraf has apparently prepared for Fazlullah's jihad. They may not have immediate plans to confront Fazlullah, but it doesn't take thousands of troops to revoke a broadcast license, either.
The army has not made its way to North Waziristan, but that seems to just be a matter of time. Tribes in that region demanded an end to military checkpoints there in a case of poor timing. Their spokesman says the checkpoints violate the agreement with Musharraf, but Musharraf apparently feels differently now then he did in 2005. It's hard to believe that Musharraf will dismantle checkpoints in that region now; it's far more likely that he'll reinforce them with at least some of the troops on the move now.
He may not bother to attack the tribes with this movement. It may just be a way to seal off the frontier in preparation for a NATO attack on Taliban positions. Musharraf has reportedly agreed to allow Western forces to cross the border, and if they do, Musharraf will want to make sure that the radicals can't flee further into Pakistan. If they keep going towards Waziristan, that possibility will get a lot more likely.
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