Operation in Darra, Bara soon to save Peshawar: Rehman Malik

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Interior minister says Taliban from South Waziristan have gathered around Peshawar
* More troops to be dispatched to South Waziristan

By Tahir Niaz

ISLAMABAD: The government will soon start an operation in Darra Adam Khel and Bara to clear the area of terrorists, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Saturday.

Asked about the incessant terrorist attacks in Peshawar, Malik told reporters that due to the ongoing military operation in South Waziristan and Swat, terrorists were on the run and had amassed in the areas around Peshawar.

He said more troops would be dispatched to South Waziristan, adding that the government had sent additional forces to Peshawar and had dispatched new security equipment, including mobile scanners, to the city.

To a question regarding international reports regarding the presence of Afghan Taliban leader Mulla Omar in Pakistan, Malik said there was no truth in such reports.

Sharing the details of the visit of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) chief Leon Panetta to Pakistan, he said the government had categorically asked him to stop US interference in Balochistan from Afghanistan.

He said he held a separate meeting with the CIA chief in which he had protested over the issue.

The interior minister said he would resign from office if it was proved that the US security agency Blackwater (Xe Worldwide) was operating in the country.

Denying the presence of the agency in Pakistan, Malik told reporters that the pervious government had allowed DynCorp, a contractor to US forces, to assist in transportation of goods to US personnel in Afghanistan from Pakistan.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg7_1