No Chinese East Turkistans involved in Pakistan’s battle against Taliban
- Source: Global Times
- [18:25 November 19 2009]
- Comments
By Yue Yongzheng and Hao Zhou in Pakistan
Police are checking vehicles at a security check point in Islamabad on November 16.
No armed Chinese terrorists were found by the Pakistani Army in its ongoing combat against local Taliban militants, according to Athar Abbas, Pakistan Army spokesman on November 16. The official confirmation dismissed claims in Pakistan’s media about Chinese East Turkistan’s involvement in the fight.
About 150,000 Pakistani soldiers are still fighting against local Taliban forces in South Waziristan, North Waziristan and Swat Valley.
When asked whether the Pakistani government has any new information after offered a $5 million reward for seizing Taliban leader Baitullah Massoud and other insurgents, Abbas confirmed there was no trace of them. He also said the authority does not have solid proof for the rumor that al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and Taliban chief Abu Omar are hiding in the tribal areas on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
At present, the battle is moving from confrontation to guerilla. Many Taliban militants are separated and besieged by Pakistani forces and face more obstacles as winter is coming, Abbas told the Global Times, adding that Taliban forces will be weakened as Pakistan is gaining control of recaptured regions.
However, he also warned large cities of tightening security measures to be prepared for possible suicide bombing attacks by the Taliban.
Abbas pointed out that it is important to win the hearts of local people and help them with post-war reconstruction.
Mo Lingjiao contributed to this story
