The Taliban on the Move in Pakistan. The Disease Spreads
Watch Journeyman Pictures video here | Monday, July 20, 2009
THE TELEGRAPH: Pakistan prepares for South Waziristan offensive against Taliban: Pakistan's armed forces are preparing to launch an all-out offensive against the Taliban's tribal stronghold in South Waziristan after almost 170 people were killed in terror attacks in the country in just 11 days. >>> Dean Nelson in New Delhi, Javed Siddiq in Islamabad and Emal Khan in Peshawar | Friday, October 16, 2009

Pakistan Offensive: Troops Meet Heavy Taliban Resistance
THE TELEGRAPH: Pakistani troops are facing heavy resistance from the Taliban after beginning an offensive in South Waziristan.

Ground forces moved out of their bases in three different direction towards territory dominated by fighters loyal to the warlord Hakimullah Mehsud and his predecessor, Baitullah Mehsud, the notorious Pakistani Taliban leader killed in a US missile attack and his successor Hakimullah Mehsud.

Four soldiers were killed and 12 others wounded when their advance from Shakai ran into resistance in Sharwangi, one of the first areas of Mehsud's territory they reached, a local administration official said. He added that the Taliban were using "heavy weapons" against the army.

An army official confirmed that soldiers had already met resistance within hours of the start of the operation, which has been planned for months and follows weeks of air and artillery strikes.

A senior government official said that the government and party leaders gave the military full backing on Friday, vowing to weed out militants and restore the writ of the state. >>> | Saturday, October 17, 2009

Radio Spreads Taliban’s Terror in Pakistani Region
THE NEW YORK TIMES: PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Every night around 8 o’clock, the terrified residents of Swat, a lush and picturesque valley a hundred miles from three of Pakistan’s most important cities, crowd around their radios. They know that failure to listen and learn might lead to a lashing — or a beheading.

Using a portable radio transmitter, a local Taliban leader, Shah Doran, on most nights outlines newly proscribed “un-Islamic” activities in Swat, like selling DVDs, watching cable television, singing and dancing, criticizing the Taliban, shaving beards and allowing girls to attend school. He also reveals names of people the Taliban have recently killed for violating their decrees — and those they plan to kill.

“They control everything through the radio,” said one Swat resident, who declined to give his name for fear the Taliban might kill him. “Everyone waits for the broadcast.” >>> By Richard A. Oppel Jr. and Pir Zubair Shah | Saturday, January 24, 2009

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