Talking to reporters, Richard C. Holbrooke confirmed that indeed American weapons are being smuggled to Pakistani Taliban from Afghanistan. Of course this admission does not mean that there is an effort by the Americans to help anti Pakistan forces. This actually confirms that some of the weaponry gets looted and this is guerilla war fare is conducted. I am confident that Americans are vigilant and they are going to try even harder to restrict efforts by the Taliban to loot weapons, but there are not guarantees in war fare.
However, despite American weapons, the Taliban have lost every battle since September 2001 and we should hope that these hate mongers will continue to lose ground, both ideologically and geographically.
I think that Richard C. Holbrooke must also be recognized for his candor because he could have very easily ducked the question or given vague answer, but he accepted the responsibility and this is what I love, honesty.
Yesterday, a suicide bomber struck and killed innocent people busy praying. This despicable act of terrorism was carried out by the same people who are fighting the in Swat. The country cannot let these people win. The civil society in Pakistan has to prevail and defeat these people, once and for all.
As always, here are some of the headlines from today’s papers:
40 people to face ‘trial by fire’ in Dera Bugti
Public support for Taliban disappearing
Suicide bomber strikes at Friday prayers in Upper Dir
Seven ‘militants’ arrested from IDP camp
Providing security to IDPs not our job: Holbrooke
Supporters in Gulf funding militants: US special envoy
Most senators call for eradicating militancy
ISI not a rogue agency: Riedel
Holbrooke sees ‘turning of corner’ in Pakistan
Parcel bomb wounds BNP-A MNA, family
