Taliban regroup in Pakistan

Washington Times:

As Pakistan delays a long-awaited offensive in North Waziristan, the remote area dubbed the last bastion of indigenous Taliban and al Qaeda, Taliban insurgents are quietly staging a comeback in several districts and territories where the military earlier declared victories.

Simultaneously, Islamist fighters are spreading into parts of the Pakistani tribal belt that previously had no Taliban presence as they also extend their reach and bolster roots in main areas of Pakistan.

Officials in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Secretariat said recently the Taliban, along with foreign fighters from al Qaeda and other militant groups, are regaining control and safe haven in Bajaur, Orakzai and Mohmand tribal districts, in addition to extending their influence in the Khyber region.

The officials, who based their assessments on information provided by local government officials and intelligence agents based in these areas, said that large groups of heavily armed Taliban were recently observed on patrol in large vehicles in all these districts. They also were collecting money in different areas of these districts.

The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that while Taliban and foreign fighters currently are not harming local residents, they are spreading the message they are back and that residents should stop helping government forces or else face severe punishment.

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The Taliban are like cockroaches that keep coming back after the exterminator has chased them from your house. I think they probably lack the same unit cohesion they had before they were chased from the area.