Pakistani fighter jets targeted militant bases in the lawless North Wazirstan tribal region. Many al-Qaida linked militants along with Pakistan Taliban terrorists are based there. Forty terrorists were killed in the air attack in retaliation against a series of deadly hits on Pakistan security forces by the militants. Those killed included terrorists linked to attacks on a church and on Quissa Khwani Bazar in Peshawar. The terrorists also exploded bombs within the Bannu cantonment. The operation by Pakistani air force jets took many by surprise. This was the first time that the air force resorted to such action in North Wazirstan since a ceasefire was finalized with local Taliban chiefs in 2007.
Speculation is hot about a major military operation by Islamabad being imminent. Prime Minister Nawaz Shariff has cancelled his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos on Sunday. He has been under pressure from the US and the hawks within the Pakistan army to take tougher action against Pakistan Taliban militants. The Pakistan Taliban are fighting to topple the Central government in Islamabad and impose strict Islamic rule in the nuclear armed South Asian nation. The present leader of Pakistan Taliban, Mullah Fazlullah has vowed to step up the campaign against the government. The militants have strongly condemned Pakistani air attack. The operation is much more serious than US drone attacks in the region. Ex-cricketer turned politician Imran Khan had taken a pro-Pakistan Taliban stance stopping supplies across the region to NATO forces in Afghanistan. He has yet made no comments.
