THEIR OWN PEOPLE?:

Pakistan army lashes out in Waziristan, toll rises (Haji Mujtaba, Oct 10, 2007, Reuters)

Over the past few months soldiers and paramilitary troops have been targeted by suicide bombers, blown up by roadside bombs, kidnapped and had their throats slit.

Militants in South Waziristan humiliated the army by taking captive about 250 soldiers in late August. More than 25 were released later, but this week three were killed, and there were threats of more killings unless the army acceded to demands.

Morale has suffered among security forces stationed in Waziristan.

Sick of being on the receiving end, the Pakistan army lashed back last weekend, unleashing fighter jets, helicopter gunships, artillery and ground troops on militants.

The recovery of comrades' decapitated, charred corpses fuelled anger in the army, according to a senior intelligence officer.

"It was too much, We couldn't take it any more," he said. "That's why air power is now being used against them."

Hitherto, the army had exercised more restraint because it did not want to be seen as fighting its own people -- an accusation that is already sapping morale.

They're not fighting Pakistanis.

Posted by Orrin Judd at October 10, 2007 8:21 PM