News
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Taliban claim responsibility, vow more attacks
LAHORE: A spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for Monday’s attack on the Special Intelligence Agency’s office in Model Town. “The attack was to avenge [US] drone attacks and [Pakistani] military operations in the Tribal Areas,” said Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq. “We have 2,800 to 3,000 more suicide bombers ... We will target all government places, buildings and offices,” he said. US drone attacks routinely target Taliban and al Qaeda commanders in the Tribal Areas. The military claims to have made big gains against Taliban and al Qaeda strongholds over the past year, following major offensives in Swat and South Waziristan. Monday’s attack follows a decline in violence in Pakistan after a significant increase in bloodshed in late 2009. Officials had linked the reduction to the suspected death — still not confirmed – of TTP leader Hakeemullah Mehsud and military offensives that have disrupted militant networks. Washington claims that militants in the Tribal Areas are supporting the war in Afghanistan, where more than 120,000 NATO and US troops are battling a deadly Taliban insurgency. afp
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk