Pakistan's army chief says militants on run

08:43, April 02, 2010      
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Pakistani army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani Thursday told tribal elders that the security forces will eliminate fleeing militants with the help of tribesmen.
"The security forces have destroyed bases of the brutal and selfish terrorists on the soil of South Wazirstan tribal region," General Kayani told a jirga or tribal council of Mehsood tribe in a letter.
The letter, titled "Promise with Mehsood brothers" with General Kayani photograph, Pakistan's national flag and army's monogram, was distributed among a jirga in Tank, a city near South Waziristan.
"I know that officers and soldiers of Pakistan's army rendered sacrifices for peace in your area but you also sacrificed of lives, houses and peace and frustrated the plans of anti-statements," the general said.
The security forces had launched a major ground and air offensive against thousands of militants of Tehrik-e-Taliban in South Waziristan in October 2009.
The jirga was called by the local administration of South Waziristan to discuss repatriation of thousands of Mehsood tribesmen, who were displaced due to fighting.
"In the next spring you people will be in your area and the government of Pakistan has allocated a large amount for the developmental projects," the army chief said in his letter.
He said that the projects include repairing rugged roads, building new roads, small dams for agriculture, electricity and education.
"I salute to the courage of brave Mehsood tribes and assure that Pakistan army will do anything for peace and tranquillity in your area," General Kayani said.
Source: XinhuaRelated Reading
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Pakistani president seeks full SCO membership
08:42, April 02, 2010      
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Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari Thursday called for a full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to strengthen Pakistan's engagement with the group for promoting peace and development in the region, the president's spokesman said.
Talking to Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov, President Zardari said that Pakistan desires to have a full membership of SCO. Pakistan enjoys the status of an observer along with India, Iran and Mongolia in the organization.
Uzbekistan currently holds the Presidency/Chairmanship of SCO, which groups China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
"Pakistan would appreciate Uzbekistan's support to Pakistan in this regard," said the president.
He said that Pakistan, being a key player in the international war against terror, is ready to be associated with SCO's Regional Counter-Terrorism structure which is currently based in Tashkent, the Uzbek capital.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental mutual-security organization which was founded in 2001 in Shanghai by the leaders of the six member nations.
Zardari said that Uzbekistan has an important role to play in promoting peace and security of the region. Being contiguous neighbor of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan can not only contribute toward peace and stability but also to the development of transport and energy corridor which would facilitate promotion of economic stability and peace of the region, the president remarked.
Suicide attack in W. Afghanistan kills attacker
08:39, April 02, 2010      
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A suicide bomber attacked a convoy of oil tankers in Farah province west of Afghanistan on Thursday but caused no loss of life but the attacker, police chief of western zone Ikramudin Yawar said.
"This afternoon, a suicide bomber riding his motorbike blew himself up next to a convoy of oil tankers of NATO-led troops on the road connecting Dilaram district with Bakwa district but caused no loss of life except killing self," Yawar told Xinhua.
He also said that the guards of a U.S. security company, USPI, played an important role in thwarting the terrorist attack and the attacker himself was killed.
Taliban militants who are fighting Afghan and NATO-led troops have been largely relying on suicide attacks and roadside bombings.
A bicycle bomb in Taliban hotbed Helmand province on Wednesday claimed the lives of 17 people and injured over 20 others.
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