Pakistan: Swat Taliban patrols strain peace deal

Source: Associated Press

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Taliban fighters resumed armed patrols in the Swat Valley's main town Sunday, an official said, a sign of severe strain on a much-criticized peace deal with the government that imposes Islamic law in part of Pakistan's northwest.

The militants' patrols in Mingora followed the Pakistani army's allegations that the insurgents were in "gross violation" of the peace pact and an accusation that they slaughtered two security personnel. But the patrols also came as the regional government tried to boost the peace effort by announcing the creation of an Islamic appeals court.

Yet even that move hit an immediate snag. A hardline cleric mediating the peace deal rejected the court, saying he was not consulted on its make-up.

Swat is likely to be a major topic of discussion when Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari visits with President Barack Obama in Washington later this week. Zardari is expected to plead for more money to aid his country's battered economy and security forces to help stem the Taliban tide. Afghan President Hamid Karzai is also set to be part of the talks.



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