Pakistan will have to tighten security

Pakistan has finally launched what it calls a 'decisive military action' against Baitullah Mehsud, Chief of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan in the treacherous region of South Waziristan. According to a Pakistan military spokesperson, Pakistani troops backed by jet fighters and artillery have killed 32 militants in a fresh offensive in Mehsud areas of Waziristan on Saturday. They were the first known casualties in the stronghold of Pakistan Taliban chief Mehsud since the military started pounding the area with artillery about a week ago.

There is a general perception that the fresh operation against Mehsud, who holds together Taliban groups in Pakistan, will help clear the tribal areas of Taliban militants. But there are many other factors which must be addressed urgently, including the threat of increased terrorist activity in the cities and the re-grouping of the Taliban in areas already taken over by the government. Terrorists have struck several times, mainly in Peshawar, Islamabad and Lahore, in retaliation for the military operation in the Malakand Division. But now an intensification of these attacks is feared, as Mehsud earlier warned the public of more attacks. Security will have to be strengthened in the cities with an enhanced presence of police and paramilitary troops to counter any backlash to this 'decisive' offensive.