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                        Pakistan Bombs Militant Targets

   by Sharon Behn

   Pakistan's powerful military attacked a number of militant targets
   Thursday, killing at least 35 militants, including a number of foreign
   fighters. The military strikes throw into question recent attempts at
   peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban.
   The attacks, early Thursday, targeted the tribal area of North
   Waziristan.

   Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif was clear, stressing
   that  security forces will retaliate for every brutal action taken by
   terrorists.

   The strikes follow a series of attacks against Pakistani security
   forces, including the execution of 23 soldiers who were held hostage by
   the militants.

   Mohammad Amir Rana of the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies said the
   military had opted for retaliatory strikes, rather than a full-out
   operation against the Islamist extremists.
   "The government's response was to give them some strict message that
   they must stop the terrorist attacks if they want to pursue the peace
   process. And the military is aggressive and they have come up with
   surgical strikes," he said.

   State-run media said the military's strikes Thursday pounded insurgents
   responsible for bomb attacks in the northern city of Peshawar and the
   killing of a military officer.

   It said a large cache of weapons and ammunition, including mines and a
   bomb-making factory, were destroyed.

   Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had said dialogue with the
   Tehreek-e-Taliban would be a cornerstone of his administration.

   Talks broke down earlier this week. Repeated militant attacks are
   making the path of dialogue more difficult, said Information Minister
   Pervez Rashid.

   "The prime minister wants to resolve these issues without bloodshed.
   But the Taliban attacked a police bus, then killed 23 soldiers," he
   said.
   Analyst Amir Rana believes the government will continue to push for a
   negotiated peace. But, he says, divisions within the Taliban on whether
   to talk or continue attacking would continue to plague the process and
   provoke military action.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/pakistan-army-bombs-militant-targets/1855431.html