Monday, February 13, 2012

Pakistani Soldiers Ambushed, Kidnapped In Tribal Region

A Pakistani soldier guarding a post in South Waziristan (file photo) (epa)

August 30, 2007 -- Pakistani officials say Islamic militants today ambushed a military convoy in the country's northwest and abducted dozens of Pakistani soldiers.

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August 30, 2007

Army officials said as many as 100 soldiers were missing after the attack, although the exact number could not be confirmed.

The convoy was traveling between the towns of Wana and Ladha in the South Waziristan tribal region near Afghanistan.

Militants in the region this week released 15 Pakistani soldiers who had been abducted earlier this month.

Pakistan's tribal regions bordering Afghanistan have seen frequent terrorist attacks, and are believed to host militants loyal to Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

(AFP, AP, Reuters)

Afghanistan And Pakistan

Afghan President Hamid Karzai (left) with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad in October 2005 (epa)

ACROSS A DIFFICULT BORDER. The contested border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is some 2,500 kilometers long and runs through some of the most rugged, inhospitable territory on Earth. Controlling that border and preventing Taliban militants from using Pakistan as a staging ground for attacks in Afghanistan is an essential part of the U.S.-led international coalition's strategy for stabilizing Afghanistan. Officials in Kabul have been pointing their fingers at Pakistan for some time, accusing Islamabad or intelligence services of turning a blind eye to cross-border terrorism targeting the Afghan central government. Many observers remain convinced that much of the former Taliban regime's leadership -- along with leaders of Al-Qaeda -- are operating in the lawless Afghan-Pakistani border region.... (more)