From Jihad Watch:
Recent strikes on Pakistan driven by newly uncovered jihad plot; Pakistan threatens end of protection of supply lines, military force
Pakistan won't do what its leaders promised, and is determined to ensure no one else does.
Apparently we're just supposed to sit back, trust duplicitous Pakistan, and get attacked again. It seems Pakistan would like that a great deal, at least until Islamabad is lost to the very jihadists it has collaborated with in the name of sticking a finger in the eye of the U.S. and India.
Priorities. "Terror plot in Europe prompted drone strikes," by Paisley Dodds for the Associated Press, September 29:
LONDON - Security officials said Wednesday a terror plot to wage Mumbai-style shooting sprees or other attacks in Britain, France and Germany is still active and that recent CIA strikes in Pakistan were aimed at al-Qaida operatives suspected in the threat.
One must wonder if the rash of high-profile alerts and arrests initiated by Dutch and Swedish authorities lately are related to this heightened state of vigilance on the part of European security. They clearly are not taking any chances.
The plot was still in its early stages and not considered serious enough to raise the terror threat level, officials said. Still, the Eiffel Tower in Paris was briefly evacuated Tuesday -- the second time in two weeks because of an unspecified threat -- and French police were on alert.
France has reported an imminent threat of attacks, including a possible strike by a female suicide bomber.
A heavy police presence was seen Wednesday around Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and Big Ben. Victoria Station was briefly evacuated after an unusual smell was reported.
"This plot was in its embryonic stages," a British government official told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of his work. He said the plot had preoccupied the security community more than other recent threats, but did not merit changing the security threat level from severe to critical.
Some details about the plot came from Ahmed Siddiqui, a German citizen of Afghan background who was captured in Afghanistan in July, a U.S. official said. [...]
Siddiqui was apparently on his way back to Europe when he was captured.
U.S. intelligence had heard of the European plot about a month ago and was monitoring the people involved, according to two U.S. officials. The CIA recently stepped up airstrikes from unmanned aircraft in northern Pakistan, in part to disrupt the plot.
However, a British government official said that while the drone strikes were thought to have disrupted the planning of the attacks, the operation was still considered active. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of his work.
The Obama administration has intensified the use of drone-fired missiles in Pakistan's border area. This month there have been at least 21 attacks -- more than double the highest number fired in any other single month
And Pakistan's threats. First: "Pakistan threatens NATO "it will stop protecting U.S. and NATO supply lines to Afghanistan"," by Kimberly Dozier and Chris Brummitt for the Associated Press, September 28:
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan has told NATO leaders it will stop protecting U.S. and NATO supply lines to Afghanistan if foreign aircraft stage further cross-border attacks against fleeing militants, security officials said Tuesday.
If carried out, such a threat would have major consequences on the war in Afghanistan as well as on Pakistan's relationship with the United States, which is vitally important for both nations. Analysts said there was little or no chance of Islamabad carrying though with it, however.
It was also a clear sign of Pakistani unease at the attacks on Saturday and Monday by NATO aircraft against militants in its northwest tribal areas and a reminder of the leverage the country has in its complicated alliance with Washington....
And the military threat. "Pakistan threatens action over NATO incursions," by Nasir Habib for CNN, September 29:
Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistan's foreign minister said Wednesday his country may use military force to stop violations of its territory.
"We will not allow anyone in any case to interfere in Pakistan's territory and if this continues, we will adopt all the set measures including military action," Rehman Malik told reporters. "I assure you we are quite capable of defending our homeland."...
Not against jihadists, clearly.
Posted by Marisol on September 29, 2010 4:23 PM
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