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Govt mulls troops cut in tribal areas
The government is analysing whether troop deployment in the tribal areas has achieved its goals sufficiently to facilitate a possible troop reduction, NWFP Governor Ali Jan Orakzai said on Saturday. We are analysing what goals were achieved and whether we can reduce the troops level or not, he told journalists at an iftar-dinner at Frontier House.
Referring to the 300 soldiers taken hostage in South Waziristan since August 30, Orakzai said it was carelessness and complacency on the armys part that so many soldiers were abducted. He said the government preferred to use negotiation when dealing with the growing Taliban influence in the region, rather than force. There is a need to build trust. We want peace to return to the tribal areas. He said the criticism of peace deals with militants in Waziristan did not bother him, as it was in the national interest and if someone does not like it I do not care. The governor claimed the deteriorating law and order situation in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan and NWFP had links with Indian consulates near Pakistans border with Afghanistan. I have evidence and that is why I am sure of this, he said. Posted by: Fred 2007-09-23 |
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