Turkish troops on Wednesday pursued Kurdish rebels into Iraq. The operation came after rebels attacked military installations last night in Yuksekova. 24 Turkish soldiers were killed, and 18 injured in a clash between security forces and an estimated 15-20 militants. The clash took place in the Hakkari province near the Iraqi border. Ankara in retaliation launched a “hot pursuit” operation. Turkish planes bombed PKK bases and fighter jets and helicopter gunships crossed into Northern Iraq on Wednesday in pursuit of the rebels.

The attack on Tuesday was one of the deadliest attacks on security forces since 1993. President Abdullah Gul has promised to punish those behind the attacks. The US and NATO have also expressed sympathy and have issued statements of support for the Turkish government.

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Five policemen and three civilians were killed in the southeastern province of Bitlis in a terrorist attack carried out by the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK) on Tuesday. The attack took place in the predominantly Kurdish district of Güroymak in Southeast Turkey. A two year old girl was among the killed. Two injured police officers are also said to be in critical condition.

The blast is believed to be the work of PKK under orders by Syrain Bahoz Erdal, a senior member of the group. It was conducted in retaliation to the destruction of a PKK camp in Kavakli by Turkish forces last week. The camp was an important base for the Kurdish Communities Unions (KCK), the network which controls PKK. Nearly 20 people have been killed by attacks carried out by the group in the last few months. The Turkish government has also stepped up its operations against the party.

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The militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) has hinted it will accept mediation by Saudi Arabia if its government offers them peace talks. Maulvi Waliur Rehman Mehsud, of the TTP said, “We will see our shura (council) will decide whether and when can we enter into talks with the government, with the military…but I think we will like to involve countries we trust…they are in the Arab world. Let’s say Saudi Arabia.” The second in command to Hakimullah Mehsud said he did not have any direct peace offer yet but insisted any deal brokered must guarantee enforcement.

Pakistan’s military and political leadership at the All Parties Conference (APC) last month decided it would try to initiate negotiations with militant groups active in the country including TTP. The APC has suggested a “national institutionalized mechanism’ based on pattern of the High Peace Council (HPC) set up by Afghan President Hamid Karzai be developed for the purpose.

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The US has vowed unilateral action against Haqqani network in Pakistan. The Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Wednesday warned the United States would retaliate against the group which is believed to be responsible for recent deadly attacks in Kabul. US and Afghan forces battled the group earlier this week in a 19-hour assault, in which the US embassy and NATO headquarters were targeted. The militant group is also believed to be behind the truck bombings on Saturday, which wounded 77 American troops.

The US has expressed unhappiness with Pakistan’s efforts in dealing with the terrorist network, which continues to have a safe haven in the country.
“Time and again we’ve urged the Pakistanis to exercise their influence over these kinds of attacks from the Haqqanis. And we have made very little progress in that area,” Panetta told reporters on Wednesday.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office has replied by stating that it is doing all it can and there is a need for coordinated action with US against extremists across the border, including those that are attacking Pakistani check posts and villages.

“We are using all our resources to fight terrorism. As far as these issues like Haqqani network launching attacks from Pakistani territory is concerned, has any proof ever been given?” stated a senior Pakistani military official.

“But if the militants are doing something inside Afghanistan, then it is the responsibility of the Afghan and Western forces to hold them on the borders,” he added.
“They let everyone go scot-free on their side (of the border) and then they say Pakistan is not doing enough.”

Cross-border attacks on Pakistani villages and posts by Taliban based in Kunar province of Afghanistan are on the increase. Recent reports in Pakistani media, including statements from ANP leadership, have suggested that Pakistani Taliban (TTP) hiding in Afghanistan have the support of NATO and Afghan security forces.

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The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan is facing increasing pressure from Islamabad to act against the Pakistani Taliban that have set up bases in Eastern Afghanistan.

According to media reports, the grievances of the Pakistani military were conveyed to ISAF Commander General John Allen on Wednesday, during his visit to the country. The NATO led mission was criticized for its reluctance to take tougher action against militants.

Militants have recently launched cross border attacks in the Pakistani areas of Dir and Chitral from the Afghan regions of Kunar and Nuristan. Pakistan believes it to be the responsibility of ISAF and the Afghan army to stop such incursions into its territory.

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Pakistani Taliban fighters attacked check posts in Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday. The cross border attack started at 4 am and left up to 32 security personnel dead.

According to a Pakistani intelligence official, the raid was organized by Maulana Fazlullah, Maulvi Faqir and their close aides Miftakhudin and Hafizulah alias Koachwan. Most of the panning is alleged to have taken place in Barikot village of Kunar province. As a result of the Swat operation, conducted by Pakistan’s military in late 2009, Key figures of Pakistani Taliban are believed to have found refuge in Kunar province. NATO and Afghan security forces have minimal presence in Kunar province. US forces had evacuated the area earlier after suffering heavy loses. The cross-border raids from Afghanistan into Pakistan are on the increase.

The Afghan charge d’affaires was summoned to the Foreign Office and a protest lodged over the ‘attacks on seven Pakistani check posts in Chitral.

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Pakistani forces backed by military helicopters clashed with the Taliban in North Waziristan on Wednesday, officials and witnesses said. The unexpected clashes come just a day after three Pakistani troops were killed in a bomb blast and though security officials confirmed forces were in action, this wasn’t the beginning of a major operation, long demanded by the US. Officials said forces were dynamiting a hospital where militants were being treated. According to media reports, several blasts were heard and militants were seen firing on army checkpoints with rocket launchers and automatic weapons in Miranshah, around 300 kilometers southwest of Islamabad.

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