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2007-03-24 India-Pakistan

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Posted by Brett 2007-03-24 12:18|| || Front Page|| [13 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 The Jamestown Foundation refers to Faqir Muhammad as "al-Zawahiri's Pakistani ally."

Afghanistan has seen an increase in attacks of more than 300 percent, and battalion-sized groups of Taliban fighters have been hit while crossing Cross-border raids are up more than 200 percent, and NATO forces have repeatedly engaged in hot pursuit across the Pakistani frontier. U.S. artillery has begun to strike at large Taliban formations in Pakistani territory. Suicide bombings in Afghanistan increased fivefold from 2005 to 2006. This year, there have already been more suicide attacks in Afghanistan than in all of 2006. the border from Pakistan.

In January, one of Baitullah's training camps in the small town of Zamazola was hit by an airstrike, purportedly by Pakistani security forces. It is widely accepted, however, that U.S. Special Operations Forces conducted the attack. Baitullah then embarked on the recent suicide campaign, killing scores nationwide. "They launch airstrikes on us and we respond with suicide attacks," Baitullah told a crowd after the strike on Zamazola. He also promised to continue the fight in Afghanistan, saying, "The holy warriors will give a tougher fight this year than last year." Pakistani police traced the string of suicide strikes directly to Baitullah--yet the Pakistani government sent negotiators to meet with him, and they accepted his protestations of innocence. Baitullah is untouchable.

The Waziristan Accord has failed to reduce attacks. [edit]

Behind the agreement is the hidden hand of General Hamid Gul, the former chief of Pakistan's shadowy intelligence service, the ISI. ;-)

Gul, an Islamist, is credited with laying the groundwork for the establishment of the Taliban and is said to be friends with Mullah Omar. The 9/11 Commission believed he had warned Osama bin Laden prior to the 1998 missile strike launched by President Clinton, allowing bin Laden to escape. Last year, Gul sought an injunction from the Pakistani supreme court to prevent Pakistani military action in Bajaur. President Musharraf's dismissal of the chief justice on March 9 is rumored to be related to this case. [plot thickens]

Staring Two Head Pounders:
NWFP: Faqir Muhammad
Waki Paki: General Hamid Gul

Posted by RD 2007-03-24 13:26|| 2007-03-24 13:26|| Front Page Top

#2 A very useful and heartening addition to Brett's post, RD. Thank you both! Only, how many are in a battalion?

Posted by trailing wife 2007-03-24 14:22|| 2007-03-24 14:22|| Front Page Top

#3 TW infantry battalions are smaller than yesteryear. The actual numbers always vary, "it depends" on several variables, to numerous to elucidate here.

Infantry battalions (Authorized Strength)
US Army approx 700 900 soldiers + -
US Marines approx 1000 + - somewhat larger

Infantry brigades will have around 3,300 troops and be equivalent to a light infantry or airborne brigade. [3 battalions each]

see how the math is funny. looong explanation. see organic, see attached, see someone smarter than me.

The Taliban are a very 'light' infantry,

Transportation: Motor scooters, Toyota pick ups and the Feets they were born with.
Arms: Light weapons. AK, RPG, rockets, mortars, some crew served guns.
Com: Cell phones, walkie talkies, "Hey Youse"

Logistics, Talibs carry what they need and scrounge the rest off locals. They are small but tough and hump the hills and mountains like little mountain goats. [helicopters are better tho]

TW, we have current RBees who are serving and could dial this in better.

Posted by RD 2007-03-24 20:09|| 2007-03-24 20:09|| Front Page Top

#4 Sorry, RD; couldn't resist:

They are small but tough and hump the ~~hills and mountains like little~~ mountain goats.

Posted by Jackal">Jackal 2007-03-24 22:37|| http://home.earthlink.net/~sleepyjackal/index.html]">[http://home.earthlink.net/~sleepyjackal/index.html] 2007-03-24 22:37|| Front Page Top

#5 I blame the UN for maintaining Taliban controlled "refugee" camps. Cutting off aid would starve the jihad out of those savages.

Posted by Sneaze 2007-03-24 23:09|| 2007-03-24 23:09|| Front Page Top

16:49 Chavilet the Bunyip4128
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