I think we saw the pattern as early as the first Iraq war, and it may be one from Arab history for thousands of years: Provoke a confrontation, create an incident, then negotiate for what you want. Doing anything other than just wiping them out every time they provoke something is playing into their hands. Fortunately, many in the Pakistani government seen to be far less worried about the perpertually angry ‘Arab street’ than some in this country. For that, we, and they, are fortunate.
Hopefully, the CIA’s got some folks there, and we’re going to make sure this isn’t another ‘clash, then dash’ routine.
10th July 7:20 AM
3 special forces personal die. 20 militants casualties. 15 militants injured. Nerve gas used in the basement. Firing has reduced a somewhat probably due to causalities within the complex. 40% of the complex under security forces control. A significant portion of the complex was bobby trapped according to the army spokesman10th July 7:30 AM
Firing has subsided a lot, which could probably mean that security forces have essentially taken over a major portion of the complex. Operation probably has moved into it’s final phases. Media persons not allowed near the quadrent off site, and security personal have been ordered to shoot them on sight. Media people not allowed near the hospitals too. Scout helicopters flying over the complex.
It would be great if Musharraf can keep the AP/Reuters terrorist sympathizers from getting their "martyrdom" pics out to the world, but I doubt it.