Pakistan: Things heat up in Swat. High value targets?

Close aide of Maulana Fazlullah's arrested.

Security forces arrested senior commander of militants Maulana Abdur Rehman, a close aide of Maulana Fazlullah from Bahrain on Saturday. According to reports the arrest was made by the security forces in a late night operation against the militants in Bahrain area. Maulana Abdur Rehman is said to be an Afhgan national. The security forces have also seized large quantity weapons from his possession, who has been shifted to unknown destination for interrogation.

But not before he accuses the govt of manufacturing flour shortage to take attention from the assassination of Benazir Bhutto...


After two weeks off the air, Fazlullah takes to the airways calls PML-Q leaders "sons of US President Bush and supporters of President Pervez Musharraf enemies of Islam...“The government has started an FM radio station in the name of Swat Radio Channel to air their propaganda, so do not listen to them,” he adds.

Forces launch new offensive in Swat.

Security forces reportedly besieged hardcore militants, including Maulana Fazlullah, after taking control of the Wanay Bridge and blocking supply routes to the militants. They have also established a checkpoint at Ronial, a strategic location, from where they could monitor the activities of the militants. The forces made further advancement to Shaur, Chuprial, Namial and Wanai areas on Sunday. Sources said that foreign militants among high-valued targets might be in the troubled area cordoned off by the troops, where they had safe havens and training camps.

...Seven union councils of upper Swat were, however, still under the control of militants.

Muslims launch suicide bomb attack by way of reply.

A suicide bomber attacked the entrance of a Pakistani army base camp Monday in the restive north-west Swat valley, killing himself and injuring three soldiers, a military spokesman said.


And also kill 8 pro government elders and attack the offices of Mullah Nazir who had signed a peace treaty with Musharraf recently.

And Musharraf? He's not particularly looking for Bin Laden or anything. There's "no proof" he's in Pakistan.