Pakistan Resumes Taliban Assault

Source: Wall Street Journal

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan resumed military action against the Taliban in the Swat Valley Monday after insurgents attacked an army convoy, killing one soldier, as the fragile peace deal governing the valley appeared to lie in tatters.

Army officials said the troops were battling the militants in several parts of the troubled valley and accused the Taliban of breaking the peace agreement reached in February under which the government agreed to allow Sharia law in the valley in the hopes that the Taliban would renounce violence.

The insurgents attacked the convoy near Bari Kot town, triggering a fierce gun battle. A military spokesman said the attack was repulsed and warned of retaliation.

Muslim Khan, a Taliban spokesman, claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was in response to the alleged strengthening of military positions in the region in violation of the peace deal.



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