Pakistan launches risky offensive into Taliban-Al Qaeda stronghold

The military faces fierce militants and a desolate, rocky terrain in South Waziristan. And the Taliban may counter with more attacks in major cities, analysts say.

By Alex Rodriguez
LA Times
October 17, 2009

Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan

The move by Pakistan's military into the Taliban and Al Qaeda stronghold of South Waziristan on Saturday launched a risky offensive widely seen as the key to crushing a militancy that has destabilized the nuclear-armed nation.

The challenges are daunting: The military will face unforgiving terrain along the Afghan border that has long been viewed as a possible hide-out for Osama bin Laden, as well as a battle-hardened enemy likely to respond by stepping up bloody attacks across the country. The government believes that more than 80% of the terrorism inflicted on Pakistan originates in the region.

As the armed forces embark on their bid to uproot the Taliban, they must also cope with ferocious foreign militants who, unlike their Taliban counterparts, cannot flee and blend into Pakistani society, and therefore will fight to the last man, analysts say.

(More here.)