Pak top brass talks with US to avert attacks

Pak top brass talks with US to avert attacks
Shaiq HussainISLAMABAD - In the backdrop of fierce clashes between the army, paramilitary forces and militants in North Waziristan, Pakistan’s top security brass is engaged in intense negotiations with senior officials in Washington to avert possible US attacks on the restive tribal belt.Strong indications from the US capital suggest growing restlessness among the security cadres over the surge in violence in Pakistan’s tribal belt and the alleged regrouping of Al-Qaeda and Taliban there.The diplomatic circles here believe that the Bush administration was under increased pressure to mount assaults against the Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants in Waziristan from Afghanistan. They said that in such a worrisome scenario, Pakistan was all out in its contacts with the top officials in Bush administration to avert possible military action from the US led allied forces on its soil fearing it would lead to catastrophic repercussions.Sensing the urgency and seriousness of situation, Pakistani security forces on Sunday targeted the militants and killed six Taliban fighters in North Waziristan where the overnight battles left 13 miscreants dead. After the scrapping of North Waziristan peace deal few days back by the militants that Pakistan had reached at with the tribesmen last year, the military and paramilitary forces have been trying their best to control the spiraling violence. A diplomatic source said that Islamabad had been trying to impress upon the Bush administration that any attack on Waziristan or any other tribal area from outside would only add to the militancy in Pakistan.“Pakistani officials have been urging restrain during their interaction with the US. Authorities while telling them that Islamabad’s policy of talks for the revival of North Waziristan peace deal along with the use of force when and where it is required must be given a chance as it would bear fruits,” he said.