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| India-Pakistan |
| More operations in Waziristan soon |
| 2002-06-29 |
| Intelligence reports put the number of Al Qaeda fugitives having regrouped in the Pakistani tribal belt at under 500 and suggest further operations in and around Waziristan to apprehend them. That's probably a low number, but it's more accurate than saying there aren't any there at all... A military intelligence source told Dawn the estimates were based on intelligence reports obtained by both Pakistani and US security agencies that are collaborating closely in the ongoing operation to capture Al Qaeda members. Sources disclosed that "quite a few" unmanned UAV predators operative over the tribal belt have also contributed in the assessment of Al Qaeda presence there. "These UAVs essentially give real time, accurate information and have aided in search operations," sources said, adding that these flying objects, comparable to flying saucers, were also equipped to fire. Wonder if they've found anything to fire at yet? Or if all they're doing is collection? My guess would be the latter... Officials said the Al Qaeda members taking refuge in the tribal belt could be apprehended within days if they remained in the area. "They cannot go far and will be caught sooner or later," claimed a source closely involved with the search operations. That's assuming the Paks press the search for them. If they go back to pretending, then nothing will happen. If they chase them, there can be American forces waiting for them on the other side of the border — or the Paks could do the hot pursuit just as well as our forces and then look innocent if the Afghans ask about it, which they probably wouldn't. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |