Operation : Saving Mehsud

As Pakistani Forces zero in on Baitullah Mehsud in South Waziristan, the United States has announced it has given its forces in Afghanistan standing orders to enter Pakistani territory if it has ‘intelligence’ on the presence of Osama Bin Laden, Ayman al-Zwahiri and Mullah Omar at any given location.
The Washington Post reported that the US Special Operation Forces had already established ground teams near the Pakistani border in Afghanistan who would move into Pakistan when required.

This announcement by the US has raised eyebrows in the Pakistani security establishment as it comes at a time when Pakistan forces, having recaptured most of Swat and defeated the US-equipped terrorists there, is moving into Baitullah Mehsud’s stronghold in South Waziristan.
The US has in the past shown no interest in striking Baitullah Mehsud’s Tehreek-e-Taliban, and has infact carefully avoided targeting TTP with its Predator and Reaper drones.
Statements from captured TTP commanders and weapons recovered from them have confirmed Pakistan Army’s belief that the Americans and Indians are training, funding and supplying weapons to the TTP terrorists.

“This is what the Indians tried to do before the Sri Lankan (army) got to Prabhakaran. His capture would have uncovered Indian intelligence links with the LTTE. They tried and failed to rescue him, so they had him executed before the army got to him. He was shot in the head from close range by his own men”, says a senior intelligence official on condition of anonymity.

“The Americans don’t want Baitullah Mehsud to be captured alive either, and they cannot eliminate him with an air-strike anymore since Pakistan Army is advancing towards him already. They will either try and take him out before he is captured, or he will mysteriously disappear only to re-emerge later at a different location. This announcement has nothing to do with Osama or Mullah Omar. They have been saying Osama is in Pakistan for years. why haven’t they acted before?”

The Pakistan Army must capture Baitullah Mehsud alive. But before that, they have to ensure they block Baitullah Mehsud’s supply lines from Afghanistan – with aggression if necessary – and ensure he does not disappear towards the Afghan border where there is a getaway crew waiting for him.