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Offensive in Tribal Area Criticized by Key Pakistani Politicians
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The paramilitary operation is being closely watched by U.S. officials both in Washington and in the Afghan capital, Kabul, where Afghan and NATO officials have been sounding the alarm about a recent increase in cross-border incursions from Pakistan's tribal areas.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Richard A. Boucher, in Pakistan to meet with authorities here, said Wednesday that recent clashes between paramilitary troops and insurgents are an important reminder of how quickly Islamist groups have gained ground in northwest Pakistan within the last two years.
Boucher lauded the operation during a news conference in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, calling it "very welcome."
"I think the people up there have had enough harassment by these groups. These threats to Peshawar and Bara and to industry, trucking and shipping -- people have had enough of that," Boucher said.
The operation has also received support from the Pakistan People's Party, the largest party in Parliament.
Farah Ispahani, a party spokeswoman, said the operation was the right response to the looming threats posed by insurgents.
"This operation is important because it is a certainty that the war against terror is Pakistan's greatest challenge at this time, because we are not Taliban and we don't want to become a Taliban state," Ispahani said. "We will fight with everything that we have to ensure that doesn't happen."
