And we should believe them now because.... ??
"Pakistan captures Taliban stronghold" by Associated Press | February 8, 2010
KHAR, Pakistan - Pakistani security forces have seized a key Taliban stronghold in a northwestern area that the government had declared free of militants a year ago after a military offensive but has experienced periodic violence since then.
The army captured Damadola on Saturday as part of an operation launched in late January to quell the persistent violence in the Bajur tribal area.
The offensive, which has killed more than 60 militants, is one of several that Pakistan has launched in recent months against Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters in the volatile Afghan border region....
Damadola, a cluster of more than dozen villages about 10 miles north of the main town of Khar, has served as a stronghold for local and foreign militants for years and was one of the first areas targeted by US drone missile strikes in 2006.
I'm so tired of the slaughter, I really am. I don't know who is standing under those missiles; however, I do know they had nothing to do with the justification for doing this (that damn 9/11 lie).
The area was filled with militant hide-outs, training centers, tunnels, and bunkers, said another local official, Jamil Khan.
Funded and directed by CIA agents?
Pakistani forces never invaded Damadola during the initial Bajur operation launched in late 2008 because the dominant tribe in the area promised to expel the militants, said Khan.
The tribe failed in its efforts, prompting the military to launch its latest operation on Jan. 27, he said.
The Taliban said they withdrew from the area responding to orders from senior commanders.--more--"
